Donor-derived regulatory dendritic cell infusion modulates effector CD8 T cell and NK cell responses after liver transplantation.

Immune cell-based therapies are promising strategies to facilitate immunosuppression withdrawal after organ transplantation. Regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) are innate immune cells that down-regulate alloimmune responses in preclinical models. Here, we performed clinical monitoring and comprehensive assessment of peripheral and allograft tissue immune cell populations in DCreg-infused live-donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients up to 12 months (M) after transplant.

Donor-derived regulatory dendritic cell infusion results in host cell cross-dressing and T cell subset changes in prospective living donor liver transplant recipients.

Regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) promote transplant tolerance following their adoptive transfer in experimental animals. We investigated the feasibility, safety, fate, and impact on host T cells of donor monocyte-derived DCreg infused into prospective, living donor liver transplant patients, 7 days before transplantation. The DCreg expressed a tolerogenic gene transcriptional profile, high cell surface programed death ligand-1 (PD-L1):CD86 ratios, high IL-10/no IL-12 productivity and poor ability to stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation.

African Americans in Standard Behavioral Treatment for Obesity, 2001-2015: What Have We Learned?

African Americans (AAs) bear a disproportionate burden of the obesity epidemic, yet have historically been underrepresented in weight loss research. We conducted a narrative review of large ( N > 75) randomized prospective clinical trials of standard behavioral treatment for weight loss that reported results in the past 15 years (2001-2015) to (a) determine the rates of inclusion and reported results for AAs and (b) further identify strategies that may result in improved outcomes. Of the 23 trials reviewed, 69.

Ecological Momentary Assessment in Behavioral Research: Addressing Technological and Human Participant Challenges.

Background: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) assesses individuals' current experiences, behaviors, and moods as they occur in real time and in their natural environment. EMA studies, particularly those of longer duration, are complex and require an infrastructure to support the data flow and monitoring of EMA completion.

Objective: Our objective is to provide a practical guide to developing and implementing an EMA study, with a focus on the methods and logistics of conducting such a study.

A prospective and retrospective analysis of smoking behavior changes in ever smokers with high risk for lung cancer from New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. The aim of this study is to conduct a prospective and retrospective analysis of smoking behavior changes in the Lovelace Smokers Cohort (LSC) and the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study cohort (PLuSS). Area under the curve (AUC) for risk models predicting relapse based on demographic, smoking, and relevant clinical variables was 0.

Endoscopic ablation is a cost-effective cancer preventative therapy in patients with Barrett's esophagus who have elevated genomic instability.

Background: The surveillance of patients with nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE) has a high cost and is of limited effectiveness in preventing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Ablation for NDBE remains expensive and controversial. Biomarkers of genomic instability have shown promise in identifying patients with NDBE at high risk for progression to EAC.

The Presence of Genetic Mutations at Key Loci Predicts Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Barrett's Esophagus.

Objectives: Risk stratification in Barrett's esophagus (BE) is challenging. We evaluated the ability of a panel of genetic markers to predict progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Methods: In this case-control study, we assessed a measure of genetic instability, the mutational load (ML), in predicting progression to HGD or EAC.

Incentives to create and sustain healthy behaviors: technology solutions and research needs.

Health-related technology, its relevance, and its availability are rapidly evolving. Technology offers great potential to minimize and/or mitigate barriers associated with achieving optimal health, performance, and readiness. In support of the U.

The added value of using mutational profiling in addition to cytology in diagnosing aggressive pancreaticobiliary disease: review of clinical cases at a single center.

Background: This study aimed to better understand the supporting role that mutational profiling (MP) of DNA from microdissected cytology slides and supernatant specimens may play in the diagnosis of malignancy in fine-needle aspirates (FNA) and biliary brushing specimens from patients with pancreaticobiliary masses.

Methods: Cytology results were examined in a total of 30 patients with associated surgical (10) or clinical (20) outcomes. MP of DNA from microdissected cytology slides and from discarded supernatant fluid was analyzed in 26 patients with atypical, negative or indeterminate cytology.

Key enablers to facilitate healthy behavior change: workshop summary.

The increases in preventable chronic diseases and the rising costs of health care are unsustainable. The US Army Surgeon General's vision to transition from a health care system to a system of health requires the identification of key health enablers to facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviors. In support of this vision, the US Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center hosted a workshop in April 2013 titled "Incentives to Create and Sustain Change for Health.

An exploratory investigation of links between changes in adipokines and quality of life in individuals undergoing weight loss interventions: possible implications for cancer research.

Objective: Obesity has been linked to a wide spectrum of malignancies, with the strongest association demonstrated for endometrial cancer. Although the mechanisms are not yet entirely clear, a number of risk biomarkers have been proposed, including altered adipokines. Systemic levels of these adipose derived molecules have also been linked in prior research to self-reported quality of life (QOL).

The use of mHealth to deliver tailored messages reduces reported energy and fat intake.

Background: Evidence supports the role of feedback in reinforcing motivation for behavior change. Feedback that provides reinforcement has the potential to increase dietary self-monitoring and enhance attainment of recommended dietary intake.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of daily feedback (DFB) messages, delivered remotely, on changes in dietary intake.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life among overweight or obese adults.

Aims And Objectives: To identify factors associated with health-related quality of life among overweight or obese adults.

Background: The obesity epidemic presents a global challenge. Obesity is associated with lower health-related quality of life; however, no study has comprehensively examined correlates of health-related quality of life in this population.

Longitudinal effects of weight loss and regain on cytokine concentration of obese adults.

Objective: To describe patterns of weight loss and regain and their effect on the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory cytokines adiponectin and IL-10 during a 24-month weight loss trial.

Materials/methods: Participants were obese adults (N=66) who lost and regained ≥ 10lb during a 24-month clinical trial of behavioral weight loss treatment. Measurements of cytokines and weight were conducted at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

CYP2A6 genotype and smoking behavior in current smokers screened for lung cancer.

Functional CYP2A6 genetic variation partially determines nicotine metabolism. In 2005, we examined functional CYP2A6 variants associated with reduced metabolism (CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*9, CYP2A6*4), smoking history, and change in smoking in 878 adult smokers undergoing lung cancer screening in an urban setting. At one year, 216 quit smoking for more than 30 days while 662 continued smoking.

Genetic analysis of a population heavy drinking phenotype identifies risk variants in whites.

Genetic association studies thus far have used detailed diagnoses of alcoholism to identify loci associated with risk. This proof-of-concept analysis examined whether population data of lifetime heaviest alcohol consumption may be used to identify genetic loci that modulate risk. We conducted a genetic association study in European Americans between variants in approximately 2100 genes and alcohol consumption as part of the Candidate gene Association Resource project.

Cue-induced cigarette and food craving: a common effect?

Cue-induced cravings may hinder behavior change efforts such as smoking cessation. Correlation of cue-induced cravings across multiple stimuli would provide evidence for a cue-reactive phenotype that may have implications for behavior change therapies. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between cue-induced cravings for cigarettes and cue-induced cravings for a highly preferred food (chocolate) in a sample of smokers not subjected to lengthy deprivation for either of these two appetitive outcomes.

Using mHealth technology to enhance self-monitoring for weight loss: a randomized trial.

Background: Self-monitoring for weight loss has traditionally been performed with paper diaries. Technologic advances could reduce the burden of self-monitoring and provide feedback to enhance adherence.

Purpose: To determine if self-monitoring diet using a PDA only or the PDA with daily tailored feedback (PDA+feedback [FB]), was superior to using a paper diary on weight loss and maintenance.

Gene-centric analysis of serum cotinine levels in African and European American populations.

To date, most genetic association studies of tobacco use have been conducted in European American subjects using the phenotype of smoking quantity (cigarettes per day). However, smoking quantity is a very imprecise measure of exposure to tobacco smoke constituents. Analyses of alternate phenotypes and populations may improve our understanding of tobacco addiction genetics.

Health-related quality of life among participants in the SMART weight loss trial.

Obesity has been associated with a decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL); however, the association between weight change and HRQoL is unclear. This secondary analysis of the SMART (Self Monitoring And Recording using Technology) trial, a clinical trial of behavioral weight loss treatment, provides evidence that quality of life improves with weight loss.

Using a personal digital assistant for self-monitoring influences diet quality in comparison to a standard paper record among overweight/obese adults.

Self-monitoring has traditionally been done using a paper record, which can be tedious and burdensome. A personal digital assistant (PDA) with dietary software can provide an alternative to a paper record. The study aimed to describe the differences in dietary changes at 6 months between participants randomly assigned to use a paper record or PDA for self-monitoring in a clinical trial of weight-loss treatment.

Genetic variability of smoking persistence in African Americans.

To date, most genetic association analyses of smoking behaviors have been conducted in populations of European ancestry and many of these studies focused on the phenotype that measures smoking quantity, that is, cigarettes per day. Additional association studies in diverse populations with different linkage disequilibrium patterns and an alternate phenotype, such as total tobacco exposure which accounts for intermittent periods of smoking cessation within a larger smoking period as measured in large cardiovascular risk studies, can aid the search for variants relevant to smoking behavior. For these reasons, we undertook an association analysis by using a genotyping array that includes 2,100 genes to analyze smoking persistence in unrelated African American participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

Physical activity self-monitoring and weight loss: 6-month results of the SMART trial.

Introduction: Weight loss has been associated with higher physical activity (PA) levels and frequent dietary self-monitoring. Less is known about how PA self-monitoring affects adherence to PA goals, PA levels, and weight change.

Methods: The SMART Trial is a clinical weight loss trial in which 210 overweight adults were randomized equally to one of three arms: 1) paper record (PR), 2) personal digital assistant with self-monitoring software (PDA), and 3) PDA with daily tailored feedback message (PDA + FB).

The effect of electronic self-monitoring on weight loss and dietary intake: a randomized behavioral weight loss trial.

Technology may improve self-monitoring adherence and dietary changes in weight loss treatment. Our study aimed to investigate whether using a personal digital assistant (PDA) with dietary and exercise software, with and without a feedback message, compared to using a paper diary/record (PR), results in greater weight loss and improved self-monitoring adherence. Healthy adults (N = 210) with a mean BMI of 34.

Smoking behavior 1 year after computed tomography screening for lung cancer: Effect of physician referral for abnormal CT findings.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening offers a unique clinical setting in which to promote smoking cessation. Focusing on outcomes related to the reporting of CT abnormality, we examined the natural history of smoking in the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study.

Methods: Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study recruited 50- to 79-year-old current and former cigarette smokers living in the Pittsburgh area.