A comparison of self-help approaches to smoking cessation.

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of widely used self-help materials for quitting smoking. Five hundred and seventy smokers volunteered during a baseline survey to participate in the evaluation. After random assignment, 200 were mailed National Cancer Institute (NCI) "Quit for Good" materials, 200 the Minnesota "Quit and Win" program, and the remaining 170 were assigned to a nonintervention control condition. Results at 7-month follow-up failed to indicate treatment effects either for abstinence or for reported quit attempts. A number of smokers quit prior to the mailing of self-help materials, suggesting that a telephone prompt in itself may have been an important stimulus to cessation. Overall abstinence at follow-up was 10%. Contrary to expectation, successful participants were less likely to use a number of specific preparation strategies for quitting. The results are instructive in providing a large-scale assessment of self-help materials in a population of smokers that was not specifically seeking treatment.     

Characteristics of cigarette smokers who want to quit now versus quit later

This study evaluated factors associated with adult smokers' immediate readiness to quit. Eligible smokers were proactively recruited online and invited to participate in either a telephone-based study for those who intend to quit in the next 30 days (Quit Now) or a telephone-based study for those who intend to quit, but not in the next month (Quit Later). Thirty-five percent of smokers declined participation altogether. Of those who remained, 25% chose Quit Now participation. Baseline data were collected via mail questionnaire and telephone interview. Quit Now and Quit Later participants (N = 1132) differed on demographic, smoking history, and psychological variables. Independent predictors of Quit Now group membership included younger age, stronger intention to quit in the next six months, greater self-efficacy to cope with temptation to smoke, and more support from significant others related to quit attempts—much of which is modifiable. Understanding factors that predict smokers' immediate readiness to quit (measured here as Quit Now group membership) could contribute to the development of smoking cessation treatments tailored for smokers who are seemingly not yet ready to quit.     

Computer-Based Smoking Cessation Interventions in Adolescents: Description,Feasibility, and Six-Month Follow-Up Findings

The impact of adolescent smoking cessation clinics has been disappointing due to low participation rates, high attrition, and low quit rates. This paper describes two computerized self-help adolescent smoking cessation intervention programs: 1) a program utilizing the expert system which is based on the transtheoretical model of change and 2) a popular action-oriented smoking cessation clinic program for teens which was modified for computer presentation. High participation rates in the program among 132 smokers demonstrate the high feasibility and acceptability of the programs. Quit rates of up to 20% were observed during the intervention, and an additional 30% made unsuccessful quit attempt(s). The 6-month follow-up findings indicated that adolescents were poorly prepared to maintain abstinence.     

Telehealth-delivered group smoking cessation for rural and urban participants: feasibility and cessation rates

Background

Large-group behavioral smoking cessation interventions are effective for helping people quit smoking, but have not been evaluated using videoconferencing technology for rural and remote participants who have no access to in-person cessation programs. The objectives of this study were to provide and evaluate an evidence-based group smoking cessation program for rural/remote smokers wishing to quit through a Telehealth videoconferencing link at their local Health Centre.

Methods

From September 2005 through April 2008, eight separate eight-session, 4 month long smoking cessation group programs were offered both in person to urban participants in Calgary and at up to six rural sites simultaneously via Telehealth videoconferencing. Quit rates were assessed at program completion, 6 and 12 month follow-up. Participants also provided evaluations of the program and technology.

Results

554 smokers participated in the program: 370 in Calgary and 184 at various remote sites. Sixteen Telehealth sites participated from across Alberta and one site from the Northwest Territories. After program completion, continuous abstinence rates using the most conservative intent-to-treat method were 27.5% in Calgary and 25.5% for the rural Telehealth sites. Quit numbers were much higher using only Available Data at 39.2% for Calgary and 37.2% for the rural sites. Similar rates were maintained over the 12-month follow-up. Program evaluations were positive.

Conclusions

It is possible to offer effective smoking cessation to small groups of patients in rural or remote locations through Telehealth videoconferencing technology, which produces quit rates similar to in-person groups.     

C‐Terminal 18F‐fluoroethylamidation exemplified on [Gly‐OH9] oxytocin

The no‐carrier‐added (n.c.a.) ¹⁸F‐fluoroethylamidation of the acid function of the protected nonapeptide Boc–Cys–Tyr(tBu)–Ile–Gln(Mtt)–Asn(Mtt)–Cys–Pro–Leu–Gly–OH forming the labelled peptide hormone derivative [Gly‐(2‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)NH⁹]‐oxytocin is described. The labelling conditions were elaborated using a protected tripeptide, identical to the C‐terminal sequence of oxytocin. The prosthetic group n.c.a. 2‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethylamine was synthesised via cryptate mediated n.c.a. ¹⁸F‐fluorination of N‐Boc‐2‐(p‐toluenesulfonyloxy)ethylamine in DMSO (RCY: ca. 60%) and subsequent deprotection with a radiochemical yield of 46±5%. [¹⁸F]Fluoroethylamine was reacted with Z–Pro–Leu–Gly–OH in presence of the coupling reagent TBTU or with activated esters of the model‐tripeptide. The activated ester method as well as the condensation in presence of TBTU yielded ?90% of the ¹⁸F‐fluoroethyl‐amidated tripeptide. TBTU‐mediated condensation of n.c.a. 2‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐ethylamine with the C‐terminal free acid group of protected oxytocin gave the radiochemical yield of about 75%. Deprotection under acidic conditions led to the formation of [Gly–(2‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)NH⁹]oxytocin within 75 min with a radiochemical yield of about 30% as measured by analytical HPLC. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adolescent nicotine exposure sensitizes cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats bred for high and low saccharin intake

Background

Quit attempts may have different outcomes based on menstrual cycle phase on quit day. This is the first preliminary study examining whether smoking cessation outcomes vary by menstrual cycle phase of quit date in women receiving a 6-week open trial of sustained release (SR) bupropion.

Methods

Thirty-three treatment-seeking premenopausal women were studied. Abstinence outcomes were compared for women quitting during the luteal versus follicular phase.

Results

Women receiving bupropion SR whose self-selected quit date occurred in the luteal phase had significantly higher rates of point prevalence abstinence during the final week of a 6-week post-quit treatment period than women quitting in the follicular phase (62.5% versus 29.4%; p < 0.05). A similar, but non-significant, pattern of findings was demonstrated for continuous abstinence during the treatment phase and for point prevalence abstinence at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Women receiving bupropion SR were significantly more likely to be abstinent at treatment completion if quitting occurred during the luteal phase. This is consistent with recent findings of outcome related to cycle phase at quit date in the absence of pharmacotherapy, and differs from findings utilizing nicotine replacement. Results add to emerging data suggesting that smoking cessation interventions with varying mechanisms of action may result in different outcomes for premenopausal women based on gonadal hormones at quit date.     

冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者血清基质金属蛋白酶9检测中的质量控制

目的 通过检测不同类型冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者血清基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）和质控样本,探讨＂即刻性＂质控法在科研实验室酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）中的应用价值.方法 采用ELISA检测冠心病患者血清MMP-9,用＂即刻性＂质控法进行室内质量控制.结果 ELISA检测MMP-9板内变异系数值≤15%,血清MMP-9质控测定结果SI上限值为1.15,SI下限值为0.625,经与SI值表中第3天的2倍标准差进行比较,均在允许范围之内;与健康对照组、心绞痛患者组相比较,心肌梗死组患者血清MMP-9水平明显升高（P＜0.05）.结论 ＂即刻性＂质控法对科研实验室是一种行之有效的室内质量控制方法.     

Inhibitory effect of chemical constituents from Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. on triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells

We investigated the anti-obesity effect of the aerial part of Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit. (Compositae). An 80 % aqueous EtOH extract of the aerial part inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation and the nitric oxide (NO) production activity. A new chromane derivative was isolated from the aerial part of A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. along with 18 known compounds. The structure of the new chromane, scopariachromane (1), was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on TG accumulation activity were examined. Among these, cirsiliol (11) inhibited TG accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Jaceosidin (12) inhibited NO production in a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7). These results indicate that the 80 % aqueous EtOH extract and compounds isolated from the aerial part of A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. may improve obesity-related insulin resistance.     

Nicotine replacement to reduce cigarette consumption in smokers who are unwilling to quit: a randomized trial

The objective of this study was to assess whether nicotine replacement therapy, administered in a real-life situation, could reduce cigarette consumption in smokers who were not prepared to quit smoking. Daily smokers of more than 20 cigarettes per day who had no intention to quit smoking in the next 6 months were recruited from the general population and randomly assigned to either a 6-month treatment of nicotine (choice among a 15-mg nicotine patch, a 4-mg nicotine gum, a 10-mg nicotine inhaler, or a combination of these, N = 265), matching placebo products (N = 269), or no intervention (N = 389). Products were sent to participants by mail. Education was limited to a booklet. Of 923 participants, 879 (95%) were followed up after 6 months. Mean baseline consumption was 30 cigarettes per day in all groups. At 6 months, cigarette consumption decreased by a median of 10 cigarettes per day in the nicotine group, 7.5 in the placebo group, and 2.5 among controls ( < 0.04 for all pair-wise comparisons). Smoking cessation rates were low (2%-4%) and did not differ significantly between groups. Quit attempts were less frequent among controls (21%) than among the nicotine (28%, = 0.04) and placebo (27%, = 0.08) subjects. In conclusion, nicotine replacement therapy helped smokers reduce their cigarette consumption and maintain this reduction over 6 months, but a large part of this reduction was attributable to a placebo effect. Nicotine treatment for smoking reduction had no detectable impact on smoking cessation.     

Expression of Kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta in cholangiocarcinoma, and case report of therapy with imatinib mesylate (STI571)

We have evaluated the expression of Kit, a receptor encoded by the c-kit protooncogene, and platelet-derived growth factor-receptors (PDGF-R) alpha and beta in cholangiocarcinoma specimens from 13 separate patients, and provide a case report of a therapeutic trial of imatinib mesylate in one patient. Archived pathologic samples from 13 patients with cholangiocarcinoma were obtained. Tissue sections were hybridized with anti-Kit, anti-PDGF-Ralpha and anti-PDGF-Rbeta monoclonal antibodies. Kit, PDGF-Ralpha and PDGF-Rbeta expression was seen in 31, 69 and 46% of samples, respectively. All patients with PDGF-Rbeta expression also expressed PDGF-Ralpha. Three out of four patients with Kit expression did not express either PDGF receptor and only one patient exhibiting expression of PDGF expressed Kit. Cohen's kappa statistic demonstrated that PDGF and Kit expression were inversely correlated with borderline significance (p=0.052; kappa=-0.4742, 95% confidence interval -0.9821 to 0.03364). In one case, strong Kit expression was noted in a tumor from a metastatic lymph node, but was absent in the primary tumor, suggesting that Kit may be related to invasive or metastatic potential. Given the high level of expression defined in this study, a prospective clinical trial incorporating imatinib mesylate, alone or in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, and especially in chemotherapy-naive patients, should be considered for patients with cholangiocarcinoma.     

Minimal interventions for weight control: a cost-effective alternative

Two studies were conducted to evaluate simpler, less intensive interventions for weight control which presumably would be more cost-effective and efficient than a "full-length" behavioral treatment program. In Study 1, participants in a minimal intervention (MI1) program who attended no regularly scheduled meetings and initially only received three simple verbal instructions about how to lose weight, lost an average of 11.1 lb. by 7-month follow-up. Subjects in three variations of a shortened, less intensive, 6-week behavioral weight loss program lost 7.8, 6.5 and 6.3 lb. but did not significantly differ from MI1 subjects in the amount of weight lost. In Study 2, MI2 subjects lost 5.5 lb. compared to subjects in two variations of a full-length program who lost 8.1 and 11.1 lb. by 6-month follow-up. Again, none of the groups significantly differed from each other in the amount lost. It was concluded that a minimal intervention program seems to produce weight loss and to be a cost-effective and efficient method for some subjects. The difference between the two minimal intervention programs may be related to the payment of a monetary deposit; a model for future research was presented to investigate simpler, less intensive interventions in combination with more complex ones in a "stepped-care" fashion.     

The use of flavor in cigarette substitutes

Cigarette smokers identify flavor as an important factor in the pleasure derived from smoking and for their choice of cigarette brand. The issue of cigarette flavor has received a great deal of study by cigarette manufacturers but relatively little by academic investigators. The paucity of literature is particularly acute in terms of the importance of flavor in cigarette substitutes, which are used to help people to reduce or quit smoking. In the current study, five different types of flavors added to a plastic cigarette substitute were assessed in experienced smokers. There were two menthol-like flavors and three tobacco-like flavors. Two groups of smokers were tested: menthol smokers and "regular" (non-menthol) smokers. Both types of smokers liked the two menthol flavors significantly more than placebo and rated the menthol flavors and the cigarette flavor as significantly more satisfying than placebo. Craving was differentially reduced in the two groups of smokers. Menthol smokers showed a small reduction in craving with the placebo, with a significant enhancement of this reduction seen with the addition of the "EZ Quit" menthol flavor.     

Discrimination, historical loss and enculturation: culturally specific risk and resiliency factors for alcohol abuse among American Indians

OBJECTIVE: This report investigates the effects of discrimination, historical loss and enculturation on meeting diagnostic criteria for 12-month alcohol abuse among American Indians who share a common culture in the upper Midwest. We introduce an empirical measure of historical loss and hypothesize that historical loss will mediate the effects of discrimination on meeting 12-month diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse. We also hypothesize that enculturation will be negatively associated with 12-month alcohol abuse and mediate or moderate the effects of discrimination. METHOD: A sample of 452 (351 women) American-Indian parents/caretakers (mean age: women = 39 years, men = 42 years) of children ages 10 to 12 years participated in diagnostic interviews for lifetime and 12-month alcohol abuse. The subjects' perceptions of discrimination, historical loss and enculturation were also measured. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate direct and potential mediating effects of latent constructs of enculturation (a resiliency factor) and historical loss (a risk factor) on the relationship between discrimination and meeting criteria for 12-month alcohol abuse. RESULTS: Historical loss mediated the effects of discrimination on 12-month alcohol abuse among women. Enculturation neither mediated nor moderated the effects of discrimination but had an independent negative effect on alcohol abuse. In a combined model comprising both enculturation and historical loss, the effects of discrimination on 12-month alcohol abuse were mediated. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents important new evidence that historical loss affects American-Indian alcohol abuse. It also provides evidence for the resiliency effects of enculturation on alcohol abuse.     

Risk of excess weight gain in university women: a three-year community controlled analysis

A representative sample of university freshman women were compared to same-aged community women for rate of weight change. University women were found to gain a mean of .73 lbs/month, 36 times faster than community women. Analysis of variance showed that university women gained significantly more excess weight than did community women. The incidence of developing "treatable" excess weight was 26% and 9% for university and community women, respectively. University women were 2.6 to 5.2 times as likely as community women to gain 15% or more above ideal weight. Three-year follow-up of university women showed a stabilization and reduction in mean weight for sophomore and junior years. By the junior year, average weight returned to near baseline levels as entering freshman. Mean excess weight loss was associated with a move from mandatory dormitory housing and cafeteria food services. Young adult university women (and men) may be especially important nonclinical study populations for identifying behavioral factors involved in weight gain and self-correcting weight loss, which could be valuable for development of more effective obesity prevention programs.     

The role of Gi proteins in reduced vasorelaxation response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists in rat aorta during maturation

Beta-adrenoceptor mediated vasorelaxation and cAMP production decline during maturation and aging in rat aorta. beta-adrenoceptor-stimulated vasorelaxation is mainly triggered by Gsalpha-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase. beta(2)-adrenoceptors can also activate Gi protein which inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity. In this study, we examined the role of Gi proteins in the decreased beta-adrenoceptor mediated responses during maturation. Pertussis toxin treatment of aortic rings to inhibit Gialpha activation completely restored age related decline in isoproterenol-stimulated maximal vasorelaxation in 3-month old rats. This treatment increased the potency, but not the maximal response of isoproteronol to produce vasorelaxation in 6 month old rats. The maximal isoproteronol stimulated cAMP responses were also partially restored in pertussis toxin-treated rings from 3 or 6-month old rats. We also examined beta-adrenoceptor stimulated binding of (35)[S]GTPgammaS to Gsalpha and Gialpha1/2 in aortic membranes from 1, 3 and 6-month old rats. In 1-month old rats, isoproterenol-stimulated (35)[S]GTPgammaS binding to Gsalpha was significantly higher than that of 3 or 6-month old rats. Isoproterenol-stimulated (35)[S]GTPgammaS binding to Gialpha1/2 was found to be significantly increased in 3 or 6-month old rats compared to 1-month old rats. The results of this study showed that beta-adrenoceptor-mediated activation of Gs and Gi proteins was declined and increased, respectively, and inhibition of the Gi mediated activity by pertussis toxin treatment partially restored impaired vasorelaxation and cAMP response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation during maturation in rat aorta. The decrease in beta-adrenoceptor mediated activation of Gs gradually increased during maturation. All together these results indicated that beta-adrenoceptor mainly activates Gs protein in aorta from 1-month old rats, while it activates Gi and with a certain degree of decline it also activates Gs in aorta from 3 and 6-months old rats and not only the increase in beta-adrenoceptor coupling to Gi but also the decrease in its coupling to Gs play a role in the impaired beta-adrenoceptor responses in rat aorta during maturation.     

Motivational Interviewing in an ordinary clinical setting: A controlled clinical trial at the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline

Introduction

The present study aimed to assess the effect of adding Motivational Interviewing (MI) to the first session of an effective smoking cessation treatment protocol in an ordinary clinical setting: the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline (SNTQ).

Method

The study was designed as a controlled clinical trial. Between September 2005 and October 2006, 772 clients accepted the invitation to participate in the study and were semi-randomised to either standard treatment (ST) or MI. The primary outcome measures were self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and 6-month continuous abstinence.

Results

At 12-month follow-up, the 772 clients were included in an intention to treat analysis. Of the clients allocated to MI, 57/296 (19%) reported 6-month continuous abstinence compared to 66/476 (14%) of the clients allocated to ST (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.00–2.19; P = .047).

Conclusions

Integrating MI into a cognitive behavioural therapy-based smoking cessation counselling in an ordinary clinical setting at a tobacco quitline increased client 6-month continuous abstinence rates by 5%.     

An azeotropic drying‐free approach for copper‐mediated radiofluorination without addition of base

Copper‐mediated radiofluorination provides a quick and versatile approach for ¹⁸F‐labeling of arenes and heteroarenes. However, this method is known to be base sensitive, which has been a barrier for preparative scale radiosynthesis. In this report, we provide an approach for copper‐mediated radiofluorination without azeotropic drying or adding a base. [¹⁸F]Fluoride trapped on a PS‐HCO₃ Sep‐Pak was quantitatively eluted with a solution of 4‐dimethylaminopyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate (DMAP·OTf) in anhydrous N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The eluted solution was directly used for copper‐mediated radiofluorination. Twelve boronic ester substrates were tested, yielding fluorinated products in 27% to 83% radiochemical yield based on HPLC analysis. This approach was successfully applied to the radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]flumazenil, a well‐known positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for imaging central benzodiazepine receptors, with a radiochemical yield of 47%. This highly efficient protocol significantly augments the powerful copper‐mediated radiofluorination approach.     

Induction of metallothioneiin by adrrenocortical steroids

Metallothionein concentration in the liver of hamsters was increased by the administration of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. However, the increase was of a low order of magnitude (40–80%) in comparison to the large increase seen after zinc and cadmium administration (700–2000%). These data suggest that the small increase in metallothionein seen after various forms of stress could be mediated by the endogenous release of adrenocortical steroids and that the large increase after exposure to cadmium or zinc is unlikely to be mediated via adrenocortical steroid hormones.     

丰城鸡血藤异黄酮类化合物的分离鉴定

为建立丰城鸡血藤质量控制方法提供对照品, 对其化学成分进行了研究, 从中分离鉴定了8个化合物, 分别为丰城鸡血藤异黄酮苷F (1), 芒柄花素 (2), 芒柄花苷 (3), 奥刀拉亭7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷 (4), 澳白檀苷 (5), 阿夫罗摩辛 (6), 圆荚草双糖苷 (7) 和丰城鸡血藤异黄酮苷B (8)。化合物1为新化合物, 化合物3～5和7为首次从本属植物中分离得到, 2为首次从本植物中分离得到。