The Impact of Psychiatric Disorder Diagnosis on Motivation to Quit and Stage of Change Among Patients at a Hospital-Based Outpatient Smoking Cessation Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is among the greatest international public health concerns, causing excessive levels of preventable premature death, disability, and economic costs. The prevalence of tobacco use among people with psychiatric disorders (PDs) remains persistently high relative to the general population, highlighting the need to improve smoking cessation (SC) strategies in this group. We aimed to assess the associations between having a PD and baseline motivation to quit (MtQ) smoking and Prochaska's stage of change (SoC), two clinically important metrics linked to SC outcomes. Methods: This retrospective chart review included patients who completed a baseline visit at a hospital-based outpatient SC clinic (N = 896). Multivariate hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were developed to assess variables associated with MtQ (importance and confidence in quitting) and SoC, primarily PD category (externalizing, internalizing, externalizing/internalizing, psychotic or no PD) and secondarily, demographics, physical health history, and tobacco use/dependence metrics. Results: The variables negatively associated with MtQ were female sex (p = .011), older age (p = .038), deriving income from social assistance (p < .001), and age at smoking initiation (p = .005), whereas ≥ 1 quit attempt in the past year predicted higher MtQ (p < .0001). Being in the preparative/action SoC (versus the pre-contemplative/contemplative) was associated with income from social assistance (OR 0.39, p = .001), more daily cigarettes smoked (OR 0.98, p = .005) and ≥ 1 past-year quit attempt (OR 1.69, p = .013). Conclusions: Having a PD was not associated with either MtQ or SoC. Deriving income from social assistance predicted lower MtQ and SoC. Having made ≥ 1 quit attempt in the past year was associated with higher MtQ and SoC. Our study suggests that people with PDs are as motivated to quit smoking and ready for change as people without PDs, and smoking cessation efforts should be amplified in this group to address the disproportionately high level of tobacco use, especially because having at least one quit attempt may enhance MtQ and SoC.

CFH Y402H polymorphism is associated with elevated vitreal GM-CSF and choroidal macrophages in the postmortem human eye.

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people 50 years of age or older in developed countries. The homozygous CC genotype in the complement factor H (CFH) Y402H single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1061170) is widely recognized as a risk factor for the development of AMD. In this study, we examined vitreal levels of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a hematopoietic cytokine, and macrophages in the choroid of postmortem human eyes genotyped for the CFH Y402H SNP. METHODS: Twenty-two pairs of postmortem, non-diseased, human donor eyes were obtained. The vitreous and retinal tissues of the left eyes were collected for GM-CSF level measurement and CFH Y402H genotyping, respectively. The right eyes were paraffin-embedded and sectioned for immunohistochemistry using a macrophage and microglia marker, CD68. Cell cultures of RPE cells were stimulated with complement C3a, C5a, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and GM-CSF expression was measured with a suspension assay or quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Eyes genotyped with the CC or the CT risk variant of the CFH Y402H SNP showed significantly increased levels of GM-CSF in the vitreous compared to eyes with the protective TT variant (mean ± standard error of mean, 607.54±85.83 pg/ml or 656.32±15.20 pg/ml versus 286.69±81.96 pg/ml, p<0.05). The choroid of eye tissues genotyped with the CC variant showed higher levels of CD68 immunoreactivity than the tissues genotyped with the TT variant (p<0.05). The GM-CSF levels detected in the supernatant of RPE cells in culture treated with HNE or TNF-α were significantly higher compared to the non-treated control (145.88±5.06 pg/ml and 149.32±3.76 pg/ml versus 123.27±4.05 pg/ml, p<0.05). Furthermore, the gene expression of GM-CSF detected in the lysate of RPE cells stimulated with complement C3a or C5a showed significantly increased fold changes compared to the non-treated control (C3a: 2.38±0.31 fold, p<0.05; C5a: 2.84±0.54 fold, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a relationship between the CFH Y402H polymorphism and GM-CSF levels in the vitreous and accumulation of choroidal macrophages in the postmortem eye. These data suggest that the at-risk variant of the CFH gene may contribute to the dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines locally in the eye.

Healthy young minds: the effects of a 1-hour classroom workshop on mental illness stigma in high school students.

This study aimed to test the effects of a 1-h classroom-based workshop, led by medical students, on mental illness stigma amongst secondary school students. Students (aged 14-17) from three public secondary schools in British Columbia participated in the workshop. A questionnaire measuring stigma (including stereotype endorsement and desire for social distance) was administered immediately before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 1-month after the workshop (T3). A total of 279 students met the study inclusion criteria. Total scores on the stigma scale decreased by 23 % between T1 and T2 (p < 0.01). This was sustained 1-month post-workshop with a 21 % stigma reduction compared to pre-intervention (p < 0.01). This effect was primarily due to improvements in scores that measured desire for social distance. There were no significant changes in scores that measured stereotype endorsement. Adolescents' stigmatizing attitudes can be effectively reduced through a 1-h easily implementable and cost-effective classroom-based workshop led by medical students.

Technical brief: isolation of total DNA from postmortem human eye tissues and quality comparison between iris and retina.

BACKGROUND: Recent genomic technologies have propelled our understanding of the mechanisms underlying complex eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Genotyping postmortem eye tissues for known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AMD may prove valuable, especially when combined with information obtained through other methods such as immunohistochemistry, western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and proteomics. Initially intending to genotype postmortem eye tissues for AMD-related SNPs, our group became interested in isolating and comparing the quality of DNA from the iris and retina of postmortem donor eyes. Since there is no previously published protocol in the literature on this topic, we present a protocol suitable for isolating high-quality DNA from postmortem eye tissues for genomic studies. METHODS: DNA from 33 retinal samples and 35 iris samples was extracted using the phenol-chloroform-isoamyl method from postmortem donor eye tissues. The quantity of DNA was measured with a spectrophotometer while the quality was checked using gel electrophoresis. The DNA samples were then amplified with PCR for the complement factor H (CFH) gene. The purified amplified products were then genotyped for the SNPs in the CFH gene. RESULTS: Regarding concentration, the retina yielded 936 ng/µl of DNA, while the iris yielded 78 ng/µl of DNA. Retinal DNA was also purer than iris DNA (260/280=1.78 vs. 1.46, respectively), and produced superior PCR results. Retinal tissue yielded significantly more DNA than the iris tissue per mg of sample (21.7 ng/µl/mg vs. 7.42 ng/µl/mg). Retinal DNA can be readily amplified with PCR, while iris DNA can also be amplified by adding bovine serum albumin. Overall, retinal tissues yielded DNA of superior quality, quantity, and suitability for genotyping and genomic studies. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol presented here provides a clear and reliable method for isolating total DNA from postmortem eye tissues. Retinal tissue provides DNA of excellent quantity and quality for genotyping and downstream genomic studies. However, DNA isolated from iris tissues, and treated with bovine serum albumin, may also be a valuable source of DNA for genotyping and genomic studies.

Risk factors associated with severity of dry eye syndrome in ocular graft-versus-host disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of severe dry eye syndrome (DES) in patients with ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD). DESIGN: Retrospective Chart Review. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the British Columbia Cancer Agency between 2011 and 2013. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of post-transplant patients with oGVHD DES followed at the British Columbia Cancer Agency Bone Marrow Transplant Unit was performed. Patient and donor data were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. Linear, logistic, and ordered logistic regression analyses were carried out. DES severity was graded using the National Institutes of Health criteria. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients studied, 39 (50%) were male. The median age and Schirmer score were 56 years (range 24-71 years) and 14 mm (range 0-25 mm), respectively. A lower Schirmer score (p = 0.0001), severe overall chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (p < 0.0001), and lung involvement (p = 0.04) were associated with worsening oGVHD DES. Ordered logistic regression analysis revealed characteristics predictive of oGVHD severity. Fourteen patients (17.95%) had severe DES. Compared with those with nonsevere DES, this group was more likely to be male (p = 0.02) and have a lower Schirmer score (p = 0.01), significantly worse overall chronic GVHD (p = 0.002), as well as lung (p = 0.02) and gastrointestinal tract (p = 0.02) involvement. Logistic regression analysis revealed characteristics predictive of severe oGVHD DES. CONCLUSION: This study identified potential risk factors associated with the development of severe DES in patients with oGVHD.

Effect of endocyclophotocoagulation on refractive outcomes in angle-closure eyes after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative refractive outcomes in angle-closure eyes having phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with or without endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP). SETTING: Single tertiary-level ophthalmology practice. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. METHODS: Primary angle-closure suspect (PACS), primary angle-closure (PAC), or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes that had phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with or without ECP from 2012 to 2014 were studied. Clinical data collected included axial length (AL), minimum and maximum keratometry (K) values, corneal powers, anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal white-to-white (WTW), implanted IOL power, and postoperative manifest refraction. The Holladay 1 formula was used for IOL calculations. Primary and secondary outcome measures were the mean absolute error (MAE) and mean arithmetic error, respectively. RESULTS: Sixty-eight eyes with ECP and 71 eyes without ECP were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in age, sex, eye side, ethnicity, AL, minimum or maximum keratometry values, ACD, WTW, or implanted IOL power. The MAE was lower in the non-ECP group (0.47 ± 0.32D versus 0.62 ± 0.43D; P = .0285). The mean arithmetic error showed a more myopic result in the ECP group (-0.54 ± 0.53D versus -0.26 ± 0.52D; P = .0017). CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with PACS, PAC, or PACG having phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with ECP had decreased predictability of the postoperative refraction and a small myopic shift compared with those without ECP. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Ahmed is a consultant to Alcon, Advanced Medical Optics, Bausch & Lomb, and Carl Zeiss. None of the other authors has a proprietary or financial interest in any material or method mentioned.

CFH Y402H polymorphism and the complement activation product C5a: effects on NF-κB activation and inflammasome gene regulation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Y402H polymorphism in the complement factor H (CFH) gene is an important risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement activation products and proinflammatory cytokines are associated with this polymorphism at the systemic level, but less is known of the associations in the outer retina of the genotyped eye. Here we investigate complement activation products and their role in nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and gene expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. METHODS: Postmortem donor eyes were genotyped for the CFH Y402H polymorphism and assessed for complement C3a, C5a, interleukin (IL)-18 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. ARPE19 cells were stimulated basolaterally with C5a or TNF-α in polarised cultures. NF-κB activation was assessed with a reporter cell line. Gene expression of inflammasome-related (NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1ß and IL-18) and classic inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-8) genes was studied. The distribution of inflammasome products, IL-1ß and IL-18, was studied in postmortem donor eyes with AMD pathologies. RESULTS: Eyes with the homozygous at-risk variant demonstrated higher levels of C5a, IL-18 and TNF-α in Bruch's membrane and choroid. C5a promoted NF-κB activation and upregulation of IL-18 in polarised ARPE19. TNF-α promoted NF-κB activation and gene expression of caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-6 and IL-8, but downregulated NLRP3. In eyes with geographic atrophy, strong immunoreactivity was observed for inflammasome products IL-1ß and IL-18 compared with age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: The at-risk polymorphism of the CFH Y402H may contribute to AMD disease process through increased complement and NF-κB activation, and the upregulation of IL-18, a product of inflammasome activation.

Refractive outcomes in nanophthalmic eyes after phacoemulsification and implantation of a high-refractive-power foldable intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive and postoperative outcomes of a high-power foldable intraocular lens (IOL) in nanophthalmic eyes. SETTING: Six ophthalmic surgical centers in Canada. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Consecutive charts of nanophthalmic patients having cataract extraction and insertion of the CT Xtreme D IOL were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, axial length (AL), minimum keratometry (K) value and maximum K value, corneal white-to-white (WTW), anterior chamber depth, lens thickness (LT), and complications. The following preoperative and operative data were collected: uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), sphere, cylinder, and spherical equivalence (SE). The primary outcome measure was change in SE. The secondary outcome measures were changes in UDVA and CDVA. RESULTS: A total of 21 eyes from 13 patients with a mean follow-up time of 9.6 ± 8.5 months were studied. Mean preoperative data were: age (51.4 ± 15.2 years), AL (16.63 ± 0.68 mm), minimum K value (46.20 ± 2.26 D), maximum K value (47.55 ± 2.34 D), anterior chamber depth (2.60 ± 0.49 mm), WTW (11.08 ± 1.38 mm), LT (4.70 ± 0.97 mm), and IOL power implanted (+49.9 ± 3.3 diopters [D]). SE improved from +16.11 ± 3.26 D preoperatively to +2.00 ± 2.37 D postoperatively (P < .0001). UDVA improved from 1.47 ± 0.30 logMAR preoperatively to 0.74 ± 0.43 logMAR postoperatively (P = .016). CDVA did not change significantly. Five eyes (23.8%) had serious postoperative complications. Of these eyes, 2 had malignant glaucoma, 2 had vitreous hemorrhages, and 1 eye had a vitreous hemorrhage with retinal detachment resulting in visual acuity of no light perception. CONCLUSION: Implanting foldable high-power IOLs in a series of nanophthalmic eyes yielded significant improvement in UDVA and SE. Cataract surgery in these eyes carries increased risk. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed is a consultant to Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Risk factors for the development of ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) dry eye syndrome in patients with chronic GVHD.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the factors associated with the development of ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) dry eye syndrome (DES) in patients with chronic GVHD (cGVHD) after receiving allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients receiving AHSCT between 1998 and 2013 at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the British Columbia Cancer Agency was carried out. Demographic and clinical data from both donors and recipients were obtained. The diagnostic criteria for the development of oGVHD DES from the National Institutes of Health were used to identify patients with the disease. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients with a median follow-up time of 24.0 months (range 11.3-249.7 months) were included in this study. Sixty-six (45.2%) patients were women. Seventy-seven (52.7%) patients had oGVHD DES. The median age of patients was 57 years (range 25-71 years). Compared with other ethnicities, Caucasian patients were less likely to develop oGVHD DES, with an OR of 0.29 (p=0.01). Patients who received a transplant from Epstein-Barr-positive donors had a higher prevalence of oGVHD DES (OR=4.39, p=0.01). This was also found in patients with the following systemic involvement of cGVHD: grade 1-3 cGVHD skin involvement (OR=1.57, p=0.01), oral involvement (OR=2.51, p=0.01) and liver involvement (p=0.04). Patients with grade 2-3 overall cGVHD were also more susceptible to oGVHD DES (OR=2.72, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of oGVHD DES in post-AHSCT patients with cGVHD.

Microtia Reconstruction and Postsurgical Grisel's Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Torticollis in a Child.

SUMMARY: Grisel's syndrome is an unusual but important cause of torticollis which may be encountered in a pediatric plastic surgery practice, where craniofacial and oropharyngeal surgeries are commonly performed. Grisel's syndrome is characterized by painful torticollis and limited cervical rotation, and the diagnosis is confirmed via radiologic imaging. Initial management of Grisel's syndrome is with anti-inflammatories and in some cases antibiotics. In unresolving or recurrent cases, more invasive treatments, such as cervical collar, halo, or surgical arthrodesis, may be considered.

Evaluation of domestic and Yucatan swine nasal sinus anatomy as models for future sinonasal research of medications delivered by standard instruments used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to find an animal model to study new medications to improve mucosal wound healing after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Current literature suggests swine as a potential candidate. The lack of information correlating swine computer tomography (CT) and endoscopic sinonasal anatomy prompted us to investigate them in the domestic and Yucatan swine to determine their feasibility as models to test new medications and drug-embedded stents applied using FESS techniques. METHODS: Two domestic pig heads and 2 Yucatan pig heads were imaged using helical thin slice (1 mm) CT. Two rhinologists analyzed the images and performed endoscopy on the swine. Particular attention was given to accessing the frontal sinus and suturing stents to the nasal septum using standard endoscopic instruments. RESULTS: CT confirmed that swine sinonasal anatomy is largely similar to human, with all major sinuses present. The middle and inferior turbinates of swine arise from a single uniturbinate. The superior turbinates contain large concha bullosa. Unlike human, swine nasal septum is bone anteriorly and cartilage posteriorly. The frontal sinus ostia, regardless of head size, were consistently around 10 cm from the nasal aperture. On endoscopy, domestic swine frontal sinus ostia were easily accessible for topical medication deposition. Silastic splints can be sutured to the domestic swine septum through the posterior cartilaginous portion, allowing for studies involving medication-eluting material. The narrower nasal cavity of Yucatan pigs prohibited endoscopic maneuvers. CONCLUSION: Domestic swine, but not Yucatan, are a feasible model for future sinonasal research using standard FESS instruments.