Addressing cancer prevention and control in Armenia: tobacco control and mHealth as key strategies.

This paper focuses on the particular challenges in cancer prevention and control (CPC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In particular, this paper extrapolates challenges and opportunities in Armenia, which has the 2nd highest rate of cancer-related deaths in the world, the 11th highest smoking prevalence among men globally, and an evolving health system infrastructure for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and control, including CPC. Despite significant progress in enhancing research capacity in Armenia over the past decade, additional efforts are needed, particularly in CPC-related research.

[Cancer immunotherapy: an update].

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The success rate of conventional anticancer therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy is limited by the non-specific toxicity and low specificity towards specific tumors, which are highly dependent on the mutational burden present on each patient. Similarly, targeted therapies have proven to induce resistance in numerous malignancies.

Young Adults' Vaping, Readiness to Quit, and Recent Quit Attempts: The Role of Co-use With Cigarettes and Marijuana.

Introduction: E-cigarette cessation intervention research is limited. Young adult e-cigarette use and cessation is particularly nuanced, given various user profiles (ie, polytobacco use, co-use with marijuana) warranting different intervention approaches.

Methods: The current study is an analysis of baseline survey data (collected September-December 2018) among 1133 young adult (aged 18-34) e-cigarette users in a 2-year longitudinal study.

Provider Discussion about Lifestyle by Cancer History: A Nationally Representative Survey.

Background: Providers are uniquely positioned to encourage health-promoting behaviors, particularly among cancer survivors where patients develop trust in providers.

Methods: We utilized the National Health Interview Survey to identify adults who reported a visit to a provider in the prior year (44,385 individuals with no cancer history and 4,792 cancer survivors), and reported prevalence of provider discussions on weight loss, physical activity, diet, and smoking. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine predicted prevalence of provider lifestyle discussions by cancer history overall, and among those who do not meet body mass index (BMI), activity, or smoking guidelines.

Tobacco Use at the Intersection of Sex and Sexual Identity in the U.S., 2007-2020: A Meta-Analysis.

Context: A 2009 systematic review synthesized data between 1987 and 2007 and revealed a higher prevalence of smoking among sexual minority populations than among heterosexuals. Subsequently, growing attention to tobacco use among sexual minority populations has spurred more literature on this issue because higher tobacco use prevalence has been found in certain sexual minority subgroups relative to others. However, a population-level synthesis of tobacco use prevalence by sexual minority subgroup has not been done for the past decade.

Use and Perceptions of Opioids versus Marijuana among People Living with HIV.

In this study, we examined use of and interest in using opioids and marijuana, particularly in relation to use motives and perceived barriers to use, among people living with HIV (PLWH). We analyzed online survey data from 304 PLWH in the United States recruited via social media in Summer 2018. In this sample (M = 30.

Vape shop and consumer activity during COVID-19 non-essential business closures in the USA.

Introduction: Vaping and vape shops pose risk for COVID-19 and its transmission.

Objectives: We examined vape shop non-compliance with state-ordered business closures during COVID-19, changes in their marketing and experiences among consumers.

Methods: As part of a longitudinal study of vape retail in six metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs; Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Diego and Seattle), we conducted: (1) legal research to determine whether statewide COVID-19 orders required vape shops to close; (2) phone-based and web-based surveillance to assess vape shop activity in March-June 2020 during shelter-in-place periods; and (3) a concurrent online survey of e-cigarette users about their experiences with vape retail.

Vape shop owners'/managers' attitudes about CBD, THC, and marijuana legal markets.

Over the past decade in the US there have been marked pivotal changes in the policy and retail environment regarding cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Many vape shops may carry products relevant to these two markets. This study interviewed vape shop owners/managers to assess their perceptions of consumer interests/behaviors regarding CBD and THC and of the impact of legalized marijuana retail on vape shops.

Applying the Population Health Standard to the Regulation of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.

Regulatory authorities have devoted increasing attention and resources to a range of issues surrounding the regulation of novel nicotine and tobacco products. This review highlights the inherent complexity of evaluating prospective policies that pertain to products that heat solutions containing nicotine, but not tobacco leaf, sometimes referred to as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is compelled to incorporate a set of public health criteria in their decision making, collectively referred to as the Population Health Standard.

Longitudinal changes in alcohol use and binge-drinking among young-adult college students: Analyses of predictors across system levels.

Background: Longitudinal research regarding young-adult college student alcohol use behaviors is needed to identify risk factors and inform interventions, particularly with regard to binge-drinking.

Methods: Data from 3,418 US college students (aged 18-25) in a two-year, six-wave panel study (64.6% female, 63.

Smoking and cessation-related attitudes among men who have sex with men in the country of Georgia.

Among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- or middle-income countries, smoking and related factors have been understudied. We examined correlates of smoking status, level, and importance and confidence regarding quitting among 608 MSM in the country of Georgia recruited in June-September, 2016 (493 without HIV via peer referral in 3 Georgian cities; 115 with HIV via the National AIDS Center). Median age was 26 years, 78.

A systematic review of practice-, provider-, and patient-level determinants impacting Asian-Americans' human papillomavirus vaccine intention and uptake.

Introduction: Asian-Americans have been documented to have low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation and completion. No research has attempted to examine underlying mechanisms of HPV vaccine uptake disparities among Asian-Americans. Using the P3 (practice, provider, and patient) model, this study aimed to identify practice-, provider-, and patient-level determinants of Asian-Americans' HPV vaccine intention and uptake.

p38δ genetic ablation protects female mice from anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

The efficacy of an anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX) as a chemotherapeutic agent is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. DOX is associated with activation of intracellular stress signaling pathways including p38 MAPKs. While previous studies have implicated p38 MAPK signaling in DOX-induced cardiac injury, the roles of the individual p38 isoforms, specifically, of the alternative isoforms p38γ and p38δ, remain uncharacterized.

Smokers' and Nonsmokers' Receptivity to Smoke-Free Policies and Pro- and Anti-Policy Messaging in Armenia and Georgia.

Garnering support for smoke-free policies is critical for their successful adoption, particularly in countries with high smoking prevalence, such as Armenia and Georgia. In 2018, we surveyed 1456 residents (ages 18-64) of 28 cities in Armenia ( = 705) and Georgia ( = 751). We examined support for cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)/heated tobacco product (HTP) smoke-free policies in various locations and persuasiveness of pro- and anti-policy messaging.

Vape Shop Owners/Managers' Opinions About FDA Regulation of E-Cigarettes.

Introduction: In the United States, prominent sources of vaping products are specialty vape shops, which are subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation. This study interviewed vape shop owners/managers to assess: (1) reasons for entering into or engaging in vape shop retail; (2) personnel training, particularly with regard to FDA and state regulations; and (3) how existing regulations are perceived and the anticipated impact of future regulation.

Aims And Methods: The current study involved phone-based semi-structured interviews of 45 vape shop owners/managers in six metropolitan statistical areas (Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Diego, and Seattle) during Summer 2018 as FDA regulations regarding minimum age verification, bans on product sampling, and health warnings (among others) were first being implemented.

Regulation of histone deacetylase activities and functions by phosphorylation and its physiological relevance.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are conserved enzymes that regulate many cellular processes by catalyzing the removal of acetyl groups from lysine residues on histones and non-histone proteins. As appropriate for proteins that occupy such an essential biological role, HDAC activities and functions are in turn highly regulated. Overwhelming evidence suggests that the dysregulation of HDACs plays a major role in many human diseases.

CpG-coated prussian blue nanoparticles-based photothermal therapy combined with anti-CTLA-4 immune checkpoint blockade triggers a robust abscopal effect against neuroblastoma.

High-risk neuroblastoma, which is associated with regional and systemic metastasis, is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children. Responding to this need for novel therapies for high-risk patients, we have developed a "nanoimmunotherapy," which combines photothermal therapy (PTT) using CpG oligodeoxynucleotide-coated Prussian blue nanoparticles (CpG-PBNPs) combined with anti-CTLA-4 (aCTLA-4) immunotherapy. Our in vitro studies demonstrate that in addition to causing ablative tumor cell death, our nanoimmunotherapy alters the surface levels of co-stimulatory, antigen-presenting, and co-inhibitory molecules on neuroblastoma tumor cells.

Vape shop identification, density and place characteristics in six metropolitan areas across the US.

Vaping is increasingly prevalent and controversial. Vape shops and convenience stores are common but distinct sources of vaping products, and where they locate may reflect likely target markets. This study examined the density and neighborhood demographics of vape shops and convenience stores in six metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Diego, Seattle.

Initial use of tobacco or marijuana and later use profiles in young adults.

Introduction: Given the relatively limited literature regarding risk factors for progression of alternative tobacco and marijuana use, this study examined initially-used tobacco or marijuana products and psychosocial risk factors such as adverse childhood events (ACEs), mental health (depression, ADHD), and parental substance use, in relation to young adult lifetime and current (past 30-day) tobacco and marijuana use.

Methods: Using cross-sectional data from a 2014-2016 study of 3418 young adult college students in Georgia, we analyzed lifetime and current use of various tobacco products (cigarettes, cigar products, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, hookah) and marijuana among lifetime tobacco or marijuana users (N=1451) in relation to initially-used product as well as sociodemographic characteristics and psychosocial risk factors.

Results: Multivariable analyses indicated that more products ever used correlated with cigarettes being first used (vs cigars, B=-0.

HDAC10 Regulates Cancer Stem-Like Cell Properties in KRAS-Driven Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Activation of oncogenic KRAS is the most common driving event in lung adenocarcinoma development. Despite the existing rationale for targeting activated KRAS and its downstream effectors, the failure of clinical trials to date indicates that the mechanism of KRAS-driven malignancy remains poorly understood. Here we report that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) might function as a putative tumor suppressor in mice carrying a spontaneously activated oncogenic allele.

A Multi-Institutional Validation of the Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Study From The Latin American Group of Lymphoproliferative Disorders (GELL).

Introduction: We aimed at investigating the prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in 2 independent cohorts of Latin American patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with chemoimmunotherapy.

Patients And Methods: The learning cohort was composed of 274 patients and the validation cohort of 323 patients, for a total of 597 patients. An optimal NLR cutoff ≥ 4 was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Nanoparticle-Based Immunoengineered Approaches for Combating HIV.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) serves as an effective strategy to combat HIV infections by suppressing viral replication in patients with HIV/AIDS. However, HAART does not provide HIV/AIDS patients with a sterilizing or functional cure, and introduces several deleterious comorbidities. Moreover, the virus is able to persist within latent reservoirs, both undetected by the immune system and unaffected by HAART, increasing the risk of a viral rebound.

Assessing Breast Cancer Survivors' Perceptions of Using Voice-Activated Technology to Address Insomnia: Feasibility Study Featuring Focus Groups and In-Depth Interviews.

Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are a growing population with a higher prevalence of insomnia than women of the same age without a history of cancer. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be effective in this population, but it is not widely available to those who need it.

Objective: This study aimed to better understand BCSs' experiences with insomnia and to explore the feasibility and acceptability of delivering CBT-I using a virtual assistant (Amazon Alexa).

Tobacco Use Trajectories in Young Adults: Analyses of Predictors Across Systems Levels.

Introduction: Research is needed to examine trajectories of tobacco use beyond cigarette smoking, particularly during emerging middle young adulthood, and to identify distinct multilevel influences of use trajectories.

Aims And Methods: We examined (1) tobacco use trajectories over a 2-year period among 2592 young adult college students in a longitudinal cohort study and (2) predictors of these trajectories using variables from a socioecological framework, including intrapersonal-level factors (eg, sociodemographics, psychosocial factors [eg, adverse childhood experiences, depressive symptoms, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms], early-onset substance use), interpersonal factors (eg, social support, parental substance use), and community-level factors (eg, college type, rural vs. urban).