OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation and withdrawal symptoms and to explore the influence factors of acupuncture on smoking cessation. METHODS: A total of 500 subjects with tobacco dependence were randomized into an acupuncture group, an auricular therapy group, an acupuncture plus auricular therapy group, a TENS group and a nicotine replacement therapy group (NRT group), 100 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Lieque (LU 7), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The treatment was given 5 times a week, once a day in the first 2 weeks. The treatment was given once every 2 days in the week 3 and 4, 3 times a week, and twice a week, once every 3 days in the week 5 to 8. In the auricular therapy group, the ear point pressure therapy was used at shenmen (TF), neifenmi (CO), pizhixia (AT) and jiaogan (AH), 3 times a week. In the acupuncture plus auricular therapy group, acupuncture and auricular therapy were adopted with the same points and manipulation as the previous two groups. Acupuncture was given 3 times a week and the auricular therapy was given twice a week. In the TENS group, SDZ-Ⅱ B type electric acupuncture apparatus was used to stimulate Lieque (LU 7) and Zusanli (ST 36), once a day. In the NRT group, the nicotine patch was used on the chest, back and the upper arms of the subjects, once a day. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks as one course in every group. Afterwards, the 16-week follow-up was conducted. The time-point withdrawal rate was evaluated by the level of urine cotinine in 8 weeks of treatment and in the follow-up in the subjects of 5 groups. The persistent withdrawal rate was evaluated by the self-report of the subjects in 8 weeks of treatment as well as in the follow-up in the 5 groups. The withdrawal effect, the score of the fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and the score of the heaviness of smoking index (HSI) were compared among the groups. Twenty indexes were selected as the potential influence factors, the 72 h withdrawal rate based on the level of urine cotinine in 8 weeks of treatment and in the follow-up was taken as the dependent variable. Using the two categories of Logistic regression analysis, the influence factors of therapeutic effect of acupuncture were screened for smoking cessation. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, the time-point withdrawal rate in the subjects among the groups was NRT group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > auricular therapy group > acupuncture group > TENS group. In the follow-up, the time-point withdrawal rate was acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > NRT group > acupuncture group > TENS group > auricular therapy group, but without statistical significance in comparison (>0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the persistent withdrawal rate in the subjects among the groups was auricular therapy group > TENS group > acupuncture group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > NRT group. In the follow-up visit, the persistent withdrawal rate was auricular therapy group > TENS group > acupuncture plus auricular therapy group > acupuncture group > NRT group. The result in the auricular therapy group was better than all of the other 4 groups (<0.05). Except in the follow-up visit, FTND score in the acupuncture group was lower than the auricular therapy group (<0.05), FTND score and HSI score were not different significantly in statistics among the groups either in 8 weeks of treatment or in the follow-up (>0.05). The regression analysis showed that the factors, i.e. nationality, educational background, drinking frequency, pre-treatment FTND score, pre-treatment HSI score and smoking cessation for physical reason in family, were correlated significantly with the withdrawal result after 8-week treatment (<0.05). The factors, i.e. education background, smoking age, pre-treatment FTND score and different therapeutic methods, were correlated significantly with the withdrawal result in the follow-up (<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with auricular therapy effectively reduce nicotine dependence and smoking intensity and relieve withdrawal symptoms. There are many factors that affect the withdrawal effect in smoking cessation. Hence, the influence factors in smoking cessation with acupuncture should be clearly determined so as to develop the individual regimen for smoking cessation and improve the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of periodontitis with metabolic syndromes and menopause status. METHODS: The 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data of 645 postmenopausal and 663 premenopausal women were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-squared test and multiple regression analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (PASW statistics) software version 21.0. Metabolic syndromes and community periodontal index (CPI) were analyzed. RESULTS: CPI 3, CPI 4 (P<0.001), and the prevalence of periodontal disease were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group (P<0.001). Periodontal disease was significantly higher (P<0.001) in postmenopausal women not using dental floss (2.69 times), hypertensive postmenopausal women (1.60 times), and premenopausal women with high blood glucose levels (1.67 times). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption, significant risk factors for periodontal disease were the lack of dental floss use (odds ratio [OR]: 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26–2.67), menopause (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.22–2.41), and number of metabolic syndromes (when 1 or 2, OR: 2.22 and 95% CI: 1.50–3.29; when 3 or more, OR: 2.22 and 95% CI: 1.58–3.13). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, menopause status is associated with periodontal disease. Therefore, oral health programs for middle-aged women with menopause and metabolic syndromes should be conducted to improve their oral health-related quality of life.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Glucose ; Dental Devices, Home Care ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Menopause ; Nutrition Surveys ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Sciences

BackgroundThe hedgehog signaling system (HHS) plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation during the embryonic phases. However, little is known about the involvement of HHS in the malignant transformation of cells. This study aimed to detect the role of HHS in the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells.

MethodsIn this study, two microfluidic chips were designed to investigate cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced malignant transformation of cells. Chip A contained a concentration gradient generator, while chip B had four cell chambers with a central channel. The 16HBE cells cultured in chip A were used to determine the optimal concentration of CSE for inducing malignant transformation. The 16HBE cells in chip B were cultured with 12.25% CSE (Group A), 12.25% CSE + 5 μmol/L cyclopamine (Group B), or normal complete medium as control for 8 months (Group C), to establish the in vitro lung inflammatory-cancer transformation model. The transformed cells were inoculated into 20 nude mice as cells alone (Group 1) or cells with cyclopamine (Group 2) for tumorigenesis testing. Expression of HHS proteins was detected by Western blot. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The t-test was used for paired samples, and the difference among groups was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance.

ResultsThe optimal concentration of CSE was 12.25%. Expression of HHS proteins increased during the process of malignant transformation (Group B vs. Group A, F = 7.65, P < 0.05). After CSE exposure for 8 months, there were significant changes in cellular morphology, which allowed the transformed cells to grow into tumors in 40 days after being inoculated into nude mice. Cyclopamine could effectively depress the expression of HHS proteins (Group C vs. Group B, F = 6.47, P < 0.05) and prevent tumor growth in nude mice (Group 2 vs. Group 1, t = 31.59, P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe activity of HHS is upregulated during the CSE-induced malignant transformation of 16HBE cells. Cyclopamine can effectively depress expression of HHS proteins in vitro and prevent tumor growth of the transformed cells in vivo.

Animals ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; physiology ; Hedgehog Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microfluidics ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology ; Smoke ; Smoking ; adverse effects

BACKGROUND: New findings on the detrimental health effects of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS)/ electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS) confounds the "harm reduction" perspective of using it as an alternative to conventional cigarettes. In the Philippines, the pressing debate on its safety and efficacy had initiated actions from policy makers on legislative issues such as draft DOH Administrative Order, House Bill 4325 and House Bill 532.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to craft an evidence-based policy position on the regulation of ENDS/ENNDS.

METHODS: Review of literature was conducted, and the proposed scope and measures on electronic cigarette regulation were compared with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) and existing policies of US FDA regulations on ENDS. Further, UP Manila convened experts of various related fields for evidence-based review and discussion of policy issues to arrive at a consensus policy statement and recommendations. Results. Findings showed that ENDS/ENNDS still need further research to have conclusive results on long term safety and efficacy as smoking cessation methods.

CONCLUSION: Regulations for tobacco control should be clear and supported with strict guidelines in manufacturing, distribution, advertisement, selling, and usage restrictions in public. With the current review, it is recommended that ENDS/ENNDS regulation be under the mandate of the FDA in alignment to WHO-FCTC and to engage different stakeholders from policy makers, implementers, and other involved organizations.

Human ; Smoking, Non-tobacco Products--legislation & ; Jurisprudence ; Smoking Devices

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Increased intraocular pressure is the most important risk factor for glaucoma. Lifestyle patterns that can increase intraocular pressure include smoking, caffeine consumption, lifting heavy weights, certain yoga postures, playing wind instruments, using swimming goggles, and certain sleeping positions. Lifestyle patterns that may reduce intraocular pressure include aerobic exercise. Although only limited studies have investigated the relationship between these lifestyle patterns and glaucoma, smoking cessation and aerobic exercise are recommended. For other lifestyle patterns, including caffeine consumption, lifting heavy weights, certain yoga postures, wind instruments, swimming using goggles, and certain sleeping positions, there does not seem to be sufficient evidence to prohibit them, but they should be taken into account in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Blindness ; Caffeine ; Exercise ; Eye Protective Devices ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Life Style* ; Lifting ; Posture ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Swimming ; Weights and Measures ; Wind ; Yoga

We report a case of a 51 years old female with a 25 pack year smoking history who underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate tissue expander reconstruction for newly diagnosed right breast cancer. The patient reported herself as a non-smoker despite significant e-cigarette use, with resulting significant mastectomy skin flap necrosis and breast reconstruction failure. Little is known about the physiologic effect of e-cigarettes on wound healing and tissue perfusion. To this end, we provide an updated review of the impact of e-cigarettes on surgical outcomes. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and PRS GO were searched for the terms “e-cigarette”, “electronic cigarette”, “e-cig”, “electronic nicotine delivery system”, “vaping”, “surgery”, “surgical”, “peri-operative”, “operate”, “operative”, and “wound healing”. Abstract review of all articles was performed. 123 articles returned that contained both variants of e-cigarettes and surgery as keywords. Of those, manual assessment returned three articles which were found to be relevant to e-cigarette use in the surgical patient. No articles were found that compared perioperative complications in e-cigarette versus traditional cigarette users in humans. In conclusion, our case report depicts the potential dangers associated with e-cigarette use in the surgical patient. There is a public misconception that e-cigarettes are healthier than traditional cigarettes and as such their use may go unreported by patients. Early evidence suggests e-cigarettes may induce some of the same physiologic changes as traditional cigarettes, and may have a significant deleterious effect on wound healing.
Breast Neoplasms ; Electronic Cigarettes* ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy ; Necrosis ; Nicotine ; Perfusion ; Skin ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surgery, Plastic ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Tobacco Products ; Wound Healing

We report a case of a 51 years old female with a 25 pack year smoking history who underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate tissue expander reconstruction for newly diagnosed right breast cancer. The patient reported herself as a non-smoker despite significant e-cigarette use, with resulting significant mastectomy skin flap necrosis and breast reconstruction failure. Little is known about the physiologic effect of e-cigarettes on wound healing and tissue perfusion. To this end, we provide an updated review of the impact of e-cigarettes on surgical outcomes. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and PRS GO were searched for the terms “e-cigarette”, “electronic cigarette”, “e-cig”, “electronic nicotine delivery system”, “vaping”, “surgery”, “surgical”, “peri-operative”, “operate”, “operative”, and “wound healing”. Abstract review of all articles was performed. 123 articles returned that contained both variants of e-cigarettes and surgery as keywords. Of those, manual assessment returned three articles which were found to be relevant to e-cigarette use in the surgical patient. No articles were found that compared perioperative complications in e-cigarette versus traditional cigarette users in humans. In conclusion, our case report depicts the potential dangers associated with e-cigarette use in the surgical patient. There is a public misconception that e-cigarettes are healthier than traditional cigarettes and as such their use may go unreported by patients. Early evidence suggests e-cigarettes may induce some of the same physiologic changes as traditional cigarettes, and may have a significant deleterious effect on wound healing.
Breast Neoplasms ; Electronic Cigarettes* ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy ; Necrosis ; Nicotine ; Perfusion ; Skin ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surgery, Plastic ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Tobacco Products ; Wound Healing

Periodontal diseases occur from the interplay between increased bacterial response and the response of the host immune system over time. Anxiety and depression can impair immunological defense mechanisms, causing accumulation of periodontopathogens and thus exacerbating periodontal disease. We investigated the relationship of anxiety and depression to periodontal diseases in Korean women. In this study, 3,551 women aged ≥19 years were evaluated based on data from the first year (2010) of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analysis of the factors that caused periodontal diseases revealed that dental floss or interdental toothbrush nonuse behaviors have been shown to increase the risk of periodontal disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14~1.95). After adjusting for conditions such as age, marital status, income, educational level, economic activity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and frequencies of toothbrushing and interdental cleaning, we found that anxiety and depression increased the risk of developing periodontal diseases (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04~2.09). People with anxiety and depression have a higher prevalence of periodontal diseases than people without anxiety and depression. Thus, periodic periodontal care and effective self-care education are needed to manage periodontal diseases.
Anxiety* ; Defense Mechanisms ; Dental Devices, Home Care ; Depression* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Immune System ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Morinda ; Nutrition Surveys ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases* ; Prevalence ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Toothbrushing

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an integral component of the continuum of care for patients with cardiovascular disease. Today, the efficacy and safety of CR are well established, but the rate of participation in CR is only at 20% to 40% in patients who actually need CR. CR restores a patient's exercise capacity, brings emotional stability, and helps a patient to effectively control risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, CR decreases recurrence, re-hospitalization, and reintervention, as well as mortality. CR is indicated for myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, bypass graft surgery, and cardiac valve surgery, but also for advanced heart failure, pacemaker implantation, left ventricular assistive device implantation, and transplantation surgery. The core components of CR (designed to lead the patient to reach target levels) are patient evaluation, dietary treatment, weight management, blood pressure management, blood lipid management, diabetes management, smoking cessation, psycho-social management, physical activity counseling, and exercise training. In order for exercise training to be safely conducted, the risk stratification for exercise-related cardiovascular complications must be evaluated and high risk patients should exercise under supervision, including electrocardiogram monitoring. Given the low participation rate of eligible patients in hospital-based CR, alternative approaches using smart phones or mobile electrocardiogram devices instead of the traditional supervised intervention can be applied in low-risk patients. The ultimate goal is to implement appropriate CR programs in all patients who need CR to help them effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors and lead healthy lives.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Continuity of Patient Care ; Counseling ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Failure ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Mortality ; Motor Activity ; Myocardial Infarction ; Organization and Administration ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation* ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Self-Help Devices ; Smartphone ; Smoking Cessation ; Transplants

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to understand farmers' health status by general characteristic, and to find out the related factors. METHODS: All the 984 subjects were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire and SF-12. Among them, only 812 were eligible for analysis. Statistical methods used included frequency, t-test, ANOVA, binary logistic regression with SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: In binary logistic regression, marital status, smoking, regular exercise and monthly day off were associated with physical component score. Marital status, smoking and score of pesticide protective device wearing were associated with mental component score. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that effort to develop health promotion programs for workers of agricultural industry considering these results can improve their perceived health status.
Health Promotion ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Protective Devices ; Smoke ; Smoking