Inter-organ communication: pathways and targets to cardioprotection and neuro-protection. A report from the 12th Hatter Cardiovascular Institute workshop.

A long-standing aim in the setting of various pathologies including acute myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and ischaemic stroke, has been to identify successful approaches to augment cellular and organ protection. Although the continual evolution and refinement of ideas over the past few decades has allowed the field to progress, we are yet to realise successful clinical translation of this concept. The 12th Hatter Cardiovascular Workshop identified a number of important points and key questions for future research relating to cardio- and neuro-protection and interorgan communication.

Perceptions of E-cigarettes among adults in treatment for opioid use disorder.

Background: Individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) have a high prevalence of smoking and limited success quitting smoking with existing tools. There is ongoing debate about whether electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be a viable harm reduction strategy. We sought to determine the potential acceptability of e-cigarettes for cigarette harm reduction among individuals receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with buprenorphine.

Effect of Remote Ischaemic Conditioning on the Inflammatory Cytokine Cascade of COVID-19 (RIC in COVID-19): a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may develop a hyperinflammatory, dysregulated cytokine "storm" that rapidly progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction, and even death. Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) has elicited anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective benefits by reducing cytokines following sepsis in animal studies. Therefore, we investigated whether RIC would mitigate the inflammatory cytokine cascade induced by COVID-19.

Prevalence of Cannabis Use and Cannabis Route of Administration among Massachusetts Adults in Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

Background: Recent prevalence estimates of cannabis use among individuals receiving medication treatment for OUD (MOUD) are lacking, and no study has characterized cannabis route of administration (cROA) in this population. These knowledge gaps are relevant because cannabis' effects and health outcomes vary by cROA and the availability and perceptions of cROA (e.g.

Longitudinal Electronic Cigarette Use Among Patients Recently Diagnosed With Cancer Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Trial.

Introduction: Many cancer patients who smoke report concurrent e-cigarette use. Using a mixed-methods approach, we aimed to (1) describe longitudinal e-cigarette use over 6 months after a cancer diagnosis and (2) assess the association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation, among cancer patients in a smoking cessation trial.

Aims And Methods: Data were from a 2-site randomized controlled trial of Standard (brief counseling) versus Intensive treatment (sustained counseling plus smoking cessation medication) in individuals who smoke recently diagnosed with cancer.

Interest in Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation Among Adults With Opioid Use Disorder in Buprenorphine Treatment: A Mixed-Methods Investigation.

Introduction: Individuals in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) have high smoking rates and limited success with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation aids, suggesting need for novel approaches. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) might benefit this population, but e-cigarettes' acceptability for tobacco reduction or cessation among smokers in OUD treatment is not known.

Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study of 222 adults in OUD treatment with buprenorphine in the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area was conducted in 2020.

Smoking and E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: With concerns about tobacco use being a risk factor for severe disease from COVID-19, understanding nicotine- and tobacco-use patterns is important for preventive efforts. This study aims to understand changes in combustible cigarette and E-cigarette use among U.S.

RIC in COVID-19-a Clinical Trial to Investigate Whether Remote Ischemic Conditioning (RIC) Can Prevent Deterioration to Critical Care in Patients with COVID-19.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has, to date, been diagnosed in over 130 million persons worldwide and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several variants of concern have emerged including those in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil. SARS-CoV-2 can cause a dysregulated inflammatory response known as a cytokine storm, which can progress rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and death.

Hydralazine protects the heart against acute ischaemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

Aims: Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial fission induced by acute myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) has been shown to reduce myocardial infarct size. The clinically used anti-hypertensive and heart failure medication, hydralazine, is known to have anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Here, we investigated whether hydralazine confers acute cardioprotection by inhibiting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

Examining the effects of problematic alcohol use on cigarette abstinence in recently diagnosed cancer patients enrolled in a cessation trial: A secondary analysis.

Aims: Among people with cancer, dual alcohol and tobacco use increases risk for morbidity and mortality. Most smoking cessation clinical trials with this patient population have excluded individuals with problematic alcohol use. This investigation examined whether problematic alcohol use affects smoking cessation in cancer patients.

Perceived risk, attitudes, and behavior of cigarette smokers and nicotine vapers receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of COVID-19 complications, reinforcing the urgency of smoking cessation in populations with high smoking prevalence such as individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Whether the COVID-19 pandemic has altered perceptions, motivation to quit, or tobacco use among cigarette smokers and nicotine e-cigarette vapers with OUD is unknown.

Methods: A telephone survey was conducted in March-July 2020 of current cigarette smokers or nicotine vapers with OUD who were stable on buprenorphine treatment at five Boston (MA) area community health centers.

Mitochondrial shaping proteins as novel treatment targets for cardiomyopathies.

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The prevalence of HF continues to rise, and its outcomes are worsened by risk factors such as age, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. Hence, there is an unmet need to identify novel treatment targets that can prevent the development and progression of HF in order to improve patient outcomes.

Enhancing employer coverage of smoking cessation treatment: A randomized trial of the Partners in Helping You Quit (PiHQ) program.

The workplace is a key channel for delivering tobacco cessation treatment to a population. Employers can provide workplace-based programs and/or financial incentives such as health insurance benefits that cover the cost of treatment accessed outside the workplace. Little is known about the effect of combining these strategies.

Correction to: Online Searches for Quitting Vaping During the 2019 Outbreak of E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury.

This paper was originally published with an incorrect title.

E-cigarettes and Smoking Cessation in Smokers With Chronic Conditions.

Introduction: Many smokers with chronic medical conditions use e-cigarettes. This study assessed the association between e-cigarette use and subsequent smoking-cessation efforts in adult smokers with and without chronic medical conditions.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of adult cigarette smokers using Waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2015), analyzed in 2018‒2019.

Patterns of cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis use among adult smokers in primary care 2014-2015.

Background: Poly-use of tobacco, cannabis, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is an emerging problem in the general population. The current study investigated poly-use of these products and receipt of smoking cessation counseling in a primary care setting.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis from a trial of a tablet intervention to increase provider delivery of the 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange follow-up), a brief counseling intervention for smoking cessation, in 3 diverse primary care clinics in San Francisco, CA from 2014 to 2015.

Electronic Cigarette Use and Cigarette Abstinence Over 2 Years Among U.S. Smokers in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) could benefit public health if they help current smokers to stop smoking long term, but evidence that they do so is limited. We aimed to determine the association between e-cigarette use and subsequent smoking cessation in a nationally representative cohort of US smokers followed for 2 years.

Methods: We analyzed data from adult cigarette smokers in Waves 1 through 3 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study.

Proactive Population Health Strategy to Offer Tobacco Dependence Treatment to Smokers in a Primary Care Practice Network.

Background: Population-based strategies can expand the reach of tobacco cessation treatment beyond clinical encounters.

Objective: To determine the effect of two population-based tobacco cessation strategies, compared with usual care, on providing tobacco treatment outside of clinical encounters.

Design: 3-arm pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Cigarette Smoking and Quitting-Related Factors Among US Adult Health Center Patients with Serious Mental Illness.

Introduction: US adults with serious mental illness (SMI), compared to those without SMI, have a higher prevalence of smoking, which contributes to a shorter life expectancy. This study compared current smoking and quitting-related characteristics of low-income US adults with and without SMI who received healthcare at federally funded health centers.

Methods: Using cross-sectional data from adults ≥ 18 years old in the nationally representative 2014 Health Center Patient Survey (n = 5592), we compared the prevalence of ever and current smoking among adults with and without SMI and calculated quit ratios as the percentage of ever smokers who have quit smoking.

Reprint of: Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Use: JACC Health Promotion Series.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both prevention of smoking initiation among youth and smoking cessation among established smokers are key for reducing smoking prevalence and the associated negative health consequences. Proven tobacco cessation treatment includes pharmacotherapy and behavioral support, which are most effective when provided together.