Tobacco Control Policies and Sociodemographic Disparities in Cigarette Smoking Behaviors in the U.S.: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Since the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement in the U.S., many studies have examined the associations between tobacco control policies and smoking; however, there is a need to comprehensively examine the impact of these policies on sociodemographic disparities in cigarette smoking.

The Public Health Impact of a Ban on Flavored Cigars: A Decision-Theoretic Policy Framework.

Introduction: Half of adult cigar users report flavored cigars as their usual brand. The Food and Drug Administration proposed prohibiting "all characterizing flavors in cigars" and "menthol… in cigarettes." We provide evidence on cigar and cigarette transitions and a framework to assess the impact of a U.

The Potential Impact of Oral Nicotine Pouches on Public Health: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) are a new class of nicotine products. This scoping review summarizes evidence on ONPs and explores their potential public health impact.

Aims And Methods: We conducted a structured literature search for empirical studies across three electronic databases through January 10, 2024.

The smoking and vaping model, A user-friendly model for examining the country-specific impact of nicotine VAPING product use: application to Germany.

Background: Simulation models play an increasingly important role in tobacco control. Models examining the impact of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and smoking tend to be highly specialized and inaccessible. We present the Smoking and Vaping Model (SAVM),a user-friendly cohort-based simulation model, adaptable to any country, that projects the public health impact of smokers switching to NVPs.

Chemical Profiles and Toxicity of Electronic Cigarettes: An Umbrella Review and Methodological Considerations.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are often marketed as a safer alternative to combustible tobacco products. The global EC market has rapidly expanded since their introduction, creating an urgent need for research describing the toxicity and chemical composition of ECs. We conducted an umbrella review to summarize the evidence from existing systematic reviews (SRs).

Postoperative complications of colectomy and J-pouch with ileostomy versus without ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The efficacy of performing a restorative proctocolectomy and J-pouch ileoanal anastomosis without diverting ileostomy in children with inflammatory bowel disease has been a longstanding debate. A systematic review and meta-analysis is presented comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications in children who underwent either the pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with ileostomy (diverted) versus the undiverted procedure.

Methods: Records were sourced from CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases.

Hepatocyte-derived DPP4 regulates portal GLP-1 bioactivity, modulates glucose production, and when absent influences NAFLD progression.

Elevated circulating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a biomarker for liver disease, but its involvement in gluconeogenesis and metabolic associated fatty liver disease progression remains unclear. Here, we identified that DPP4 in hepatocytes but not TEK receptor tyrosine kinase-positive endothelial cells regulates the local bioactivity of incretin hormones and gluconeogenesis. However, the complete absence of DPP4 (Dpp4-/-) in aged mice with metabolic syndrome accelerates liver fibrosis without altering dyslipidemia and steatosis.

A Decision-Theoretic Public Health Framework for Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Vaping Products.

Markets for nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) have grown as these products became positioned as harm-reduction alternatives to combusted tobacco products. Herein, we present a public health decision-theoretic framework incorporating different patterns of HTP, NVP, and cigarette use to examine their impacts on population health. Our framework demonstrates that, for individuals who would have otherwise smoked, HTP use may provide public health benefits by enabling cessation or by discouraging smoking initiation and relapse.

Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes: An Umbrella Review and Methodological Considerations.

E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes. However, their health effects, especially those associated with long-term use, remain largely uncertain. We conducted an umbrella review of the cardiopulmonary and carcinogenic risks of e-cigarette use, distinguishing between short-term and long-term health effects.

The Use of Expert Elicitation among Computational Modeling Studies in Health Research: A Systematic Review.

Background: Expert elicitation (EE) has been used across disciplines to estimate input parameters for computational modeling research when information is sparse or conflictual.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review to compare EE methods used to generate model input parameters in health research.

Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science.

Public health impact of a US ban on menthol in cigarettes and cigars: a simulation study.

Introduction: The US Food and Drug Administration most recently announced its intention to ban menthol cigarettes and cigars nationwide in April 2021. Implementation of the ban will require evidence that it would improve public health. This paper simulates the potential public health impact of a ban on menthol in cigarettes and cigars through its impacts on smoking initiation, smoking cessation and switching to nicotine vaping products (NVPs).

Tobacco retail availability and cigarette and e-cigarette use among youth and adults: a scoping review.

Objective: States and localities are formulating strategies to reduce the widespread retail availability of tobacco products. Evidence of associations between retailer density/proximity and tobacco use outcomes can help inform those strategies. We conducted a scoping review on tobacco retail availability and cigarette/e-cigarette use in adults and youth, and considered variations in spatial units, measures of retailer exposure and outcomes across studies.

An Expert Elicitation on the Effects of a Ban on Menthol Cigarettes and Cigars in the United States.

Introduction: The US Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to ban menthol in cigarettes. However, information is needed on how a federal ban would affect population health.

Aims And Methods: We conducted an expert elicitation to gauge the impact of a menthol cigarette and cigar ban in the United States.

US Nicotine Vaping Product Simulation Model: The Effect of Vaping and Tobacco Control Policies on Smoking Prevalence and Smoking-Attributable Deaths.

The public health impact of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) is subject to a complex set of uncertain transitions between NVP and cigarette use. Instead, we apply an indirect method to gauge the impact of NVP use on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) using the well-established tobacco control policy simulation model. Upon validating the model before NVPs were more widely used, we project a No-NVP (i.

England SimSmoke: the impact of nicotine vaping on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths in England.

Background And Aims: Whereas the use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) is widespread, their impact on smoking prevalence is controversial. This study considered the potential impact of NVPs on smoking prevalence in England.

Design: Indirect simulation model.

Thoracoscopy vs. thoracotomy for the repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) require emergency surgery in the neonatal period to prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise. Surgery was once exclusively performed via thoracotomy; however, there has been a push to correct this anomaly thoracoscopically. In this study, we compare intra- and post-operative outcomes of both techniques.

Laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in children: which is the true gold-standard? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed in children. Traditionally, an open surgical approach has been utilized; however, laparoscopic repair has been gaining favour within the surgical community. We aimed to determine whether open or laparoscopic hernia repair is optimal for pediatric patients by comparing recurrence rates and other outcomes.

A Comparison of Parallel and Integrated Models for Implementation of Routine HIV Screening in a Large, Urban Emergency Department.

Objective: This study compared two approaches for implementation of non-targeted HIV screening in the emergency department (ED): (1) designated HIV counselors screening in parallel with ED care and (2) nurse-based screening integrated into patient triage.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to compare parallel and integrated screening models using data from the first 12 months of each program. Data for the parallel screening model were extracted from information collected by HIV test counselors and the electronic medical record (EMR).

Invasive species cause large-scale loss of native California oyster habitat by disrupting trophic cascades.

Although invasive species often resemble their native counterparts, differences in their foraging and anti-predator strategies may disrupt native food webs. In a California estuary, we showed that regions dominated by native crabs and native whelks have low mortality of native oysters (the basal prey), while regions dominated by invasive crabs and invasive whelks have high oyster mortality and are consequently losing a biologically diverse habitat. Using field experiments, we demonstrated that the invasive whelk's distribution is causally related to a large-scale pattern of oyster mortality.

Spaceflight-relevant types of ionizing radiation and cortical bone: Potential LET effect?

Extended exposure to microgravity conditions results in significant bone loss. Coupled with radiation exposure, this phenomenon may place astronauts at a greater risk for mission-critical fractures. In a previous study, we identified a profound and prolonged loss of trabecular bone (29-39%) in mice following exposure to an acute, 2 Gy dose of radiation simulating both solar and cosmic sources.

Development of a low-dose anti-resorptive drug regimen reveals synergistic suppression of bone formation when coupled with disuse.

Safe and effective countermeasures to spaceflight-induced osteoporosis are required to mitigate the potential for mission-critical fractures and ensure long-term bone health in astronauts. Two anti-resorptive drugs, the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZOL) and the anti-receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand protein osteoprotegerin (OPG), were investigated to find the minimum, comparable doses that yield a maximal increase in bone quality, while minimizing deleterious effects on turnover and mineralization. Through a series of five trials in normally loaded female mice (n = 56/trial), analysis of trabecular volume fraction and connectivity using microcomputed tomography, along with biomechanical testing, quantitative histomorphometry, and compositional analysis, was used to select 45 microg/kg ZOL and 500 microg/kg OPG as doses that satisfy these criteria.