Single nucleotide polymorphisms conferring susceptibility to leukemia and oral mucositis: a multi-center pilot study of patients prior to conditioning therapy for hematopoietic cell transplant.

PURPOSE: Leukemias have been associated with oral manifestations, reflecting susceptibility to cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. We sought to identify SNPs associated with both leukemia and oral mucositis (OM). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed on leukemia and non-cancer blood disorder (ncBD) patients' saliva samples (N = 50) prior to conditioning therapy. WHO OM grading scores were determined: moderate to severe (OM2-4) vs. none to mild (OM0-1). Reads were processed using Trim Galorev0.6.7, Bowtie2v2.4.1, Samtoolsv1.10, Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK)v4.2.6.1, and DeepVariantv1.4.0. We utilized the following pipelines: P1 analysis with PLINK2v3.7, SNP2GENEv1.4.1 and MAGMAv1.07b, and P2 [leukemia (N = 42) vs. ncBDs (N = 8)] and P3 [leukemia + OM2-4 (N = 18) vs. leukemia + OM0-1 (N = 24)] with Z-tests of genotypes and protein-protein interaction determination. GeneCardsSuitev5.14 was used to identify phenotypes (P1 and P2, leukemia; P3, oral mucositis) and average disease-causing likelihood and DGIdb for drug interactions. P1 and P2 genes were analyzed with CytoScape plugin BiNGOv3.0.3 to retrieve overrepresented Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Ensembl's VEP for SNP outcomes. RESULTS: In P1, 457 candidate SNPs (28 genes) were identified and 21,604 SNPs (1016 genes) by MAGMAv1.07b. Eighteen genes were associated with "leukemia" per VarElectv5.14 analysis and predicted to be deleterious. In P2 and P3, 353 and 174 SNPs were significant, respectively. STRINGv12.0 returned 77 and 32 genes (C.L. = 0.7) for P2 and P3, respectively. VarElectv5.14 determined 60 genes from P2 associated with "leukemia" and 11 with "oral mucositis" from P3. Overrepresented GO terms included "cellular process," "signaling," "hemopoiesis," and "regulation of immune response." CONCLUSIONS: We identified candidate SNPs possibly conferring susceptibility to develop leukemia and oral mucositis.

Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the risks and benefits of cannabis use in the context of cancer care. This study characterized the prevalence, reasons for use, and perceived benefits of cannabis and compared symptoms and perceived risks between those who reported past 30-day cannabis use and those who did not. METHODS: Adults undergoing cancer treatment at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center completed measures of sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis use, use modalities, reasons for use, perceived harms/benefits of use, physical and psychological symptoms, and other substance/medication use. Analyses compared patients who used or did not use cannabis in the past 30 days. RESULTS: Participants (N = 267) were 58 years old on average, primarily female (70%), and predominantly White (88%). Over a quarter of respondents (26%) reported past 30-day cannabis use, and among those, 4.5% screened positive for cannabis use disorder. Participants who used cannabis most often used edibles (65%) or smoked cannabis (51%), and they were younger and more likely to be male, Black, and disabled, and to have lower income and Medicaid insurance than participants who did not use cannabis. Those who used cannabis reported more severe symptoms and perceived cannabis as less harmful than those who did not use cannabis. The most common medical reasons for cannabis use were pain, cancer, sleep problems, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, and poor appetite. Participants reported the greatest cannabis-related symptom relief from sleep problems, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer who used cannabis perceived benefits for many symptoms, although they showed worse overall symptomatology. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Among adults undergoing cancer treatment, 26% reported cannabis use in the past 30 days. Those who used cannabis were more likely to be male and disabled and to have lower income and Medicaid insurance than those who did not use cannabis. Participants most commonly reported using cannabis for pain, cancer, sleep, anxiety, and nausea/vomiting and reported the greatest perceived benefits for sleep, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety, yet participants who used cannabis also reported feeling worse physically and psychologically compared to those who did not use cannabis. Participants who used cannabis were more likely to report that cannabis was less risky to their health than alcohol, smoking, and opioids than those who did not use cannabis.

Identifying disparities in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among US adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) became more common among racial and ethnic minorities and sexual and gender minorities (SGM) during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to White and non-SGM adolescents. This study examines associations between pandemic-related stressors and STBs among a nationally representative sample of adolescents to identify vulnerable subpopulations. METHODS: We analyzed data from 6769 high school students using the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey. Pandemic-related stressors were assessed via seven items related to negative experiences (e.g., parent job loss; food insecurity) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analyses estimated the association between pandemic-related stressors and four outcomes: (1) sadness/hopelessness; (2) suicidal ideation; (3) suicide planning; and (4) recent suicide attempt (i.e., past 12 months). Interactions were modeled by sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity. RESULTS: A greater number of pandemic-related stressors was associated with higher odds for sadness and hopelessness (aOR: 1.55; 95% CI:1.44-1.67), suicidal ideation (aOR: 1.48; 95% CI:1.39-1.57), suicide planning (aOR:1.47; 95% CI: 1.36-1.59), and recent suicide attempt (aOR: 1.64; 95% CI:1.42-1.88). Pandemic-related stressors were also more strongly associated with some types of STBs in males (relative to females) and SGM females (relative to heterosexual females). CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that pandemic-related stressors are associated with STBs within the US adolescent population, particularly among male and SGM female adolescents. Researchers are encouraged to use this knowledge to ensure nationwide suicide prevention efforts adequately address inequities in suicide risk.

A Scoping Review and Meta-analysis of the Use of Remote Biochemical Verification Methods of Smoking Status in Tobacco Research.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing digital delivery of smoking cessation interventions has resulted in the need to employ novel strategies for remote biochemical verification. AIMS AND METHODS: This scoping review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate best practices for remote biochemical verification of smoking status. The scientific literature was searched for studies that reported remotely obtained (not in-person) biochemical confirmation of smoking status (ie, combustible tobacco). A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to investigate key outcomes, which included rates of returned biological samples and the ratio of biochemically verified to self-reported abstinence rates. RESULTS: A total of 82 studies were included. The most common samples were expired air (46%) and saliva (40% of studies), the most common biomarkers were carbon monoxide (48%) and cotinine (44%), and the most common verification methods were video confirmation (37%) and mail-in samples for lab analysis (26%). Mean sample return rates determined by random-effects meta-analysis were 70% for smoking cessation intervention studies without contingency management (CM), 77% for CM studies, and 65% for other studies (eg, feasibility and secondary analyses). Among smoking cessation intervention studies without CM, self-reported abstinence rates were 21%, biochemically verified abstinence rates were 10%, and 47% of individuals who self-reported abstinence were also biochemically confirmed as abstinent. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review suggests that improvements in sample return rates in remote biochemical verification studies of smoking status are needed. Recommendations for reporting standards are provided that may enhance confidence in the validity of reported abstinence rates in remote studies. IMPLICATIONS: This scoping review and meta-analysis included studies using remote biochemical verification to determine smoking status. Challenges exist regarding implementation and ensuring high sample return rates. Higher self-reported compared to biochemically verified abstinence rates suggest the possibility that participants in remote studies may be misreporting abstinence or not returning samples for other reasons (eg, participant burden, inconvenience). Remote biochemical confirmation of self-reported smoking abstinence should be included in smoking cessation studies whenever feasible. However, findings should be considered in the context of challenges to sample return rates. Better reporting guidelines for future studies in this area are needed.

Seeing is believing: How cannabis marketing exposure is associated with cannabis use attitudes and behavior in a permissive medical cannabis policy environment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oklahoma has a fast-growing medical cannabis industry, showing a proliferation of industry marketing. While cannabis marketing exposure (CME) is a risk factor for cannabis use and positive attitudes about use, no studies have examined the impact of CME on attitudes and use behavior in a permissive cannabis policy environment, like Oklahoma. METHODS: N = 5428 Oklahoma adults ages 18 and older completed assessments of demographics, past 30-day cannabis use, and past 30-day exposure to each of four types of cannabis marketing: outdoor (billboards, signs), social media, print (magazines), and Internet. Regression models examined associations of CME with positive attitudes towards cannabis use, cannabis harm perceptions, interest in obtaining a medical cannabis license (among nonlicensed participants), and past 30-day cannabis use. RESULTS: Three quarters (74.5%) reported any past 30-day CME. Outdoor CME was most prevalent (61.1%), followed by social media (46.5%), Internet (46.1%), and print (35.2%). Correlates of CME included younger age, higher educational attainment and income, and medical cannabis license. In adjusted regression models, past 30-day CME and number of sources of CME were associated with current cannabis use behavior, positive attitudes about cannabis, lower cannabis harm perceptions, and greater interest in obtaining a medical cannabis license. Similar associations between CME and positive attitudes about cannabis were shown among noncannabis users. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Public health messaging should be employed to minimize the potential adverse impacts of CME. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: No studies have examined correlates of CME in a rapidly growing and relatively unrestrained marketing environment.

Affirming the Abuse Liability and Addiction Potential of Menthol: Differences in Subjective Appeal to Smoking Menthol Versus Non-Menthol Cigarettes Across African American and White Young Adult Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol cigarettes are popular among young adults and are disproportionately used by African American smokers. Menthol's minty and cooling sensations have been hypothesized to enhance the appeal and reinforcement of smoking; however, differences in menthol's subjective appeal across races have been inconsistent. This secondary data analysis examined differences in subjective appeal for smoking menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes between African American and White young adult smokers. METHODS: Young adults (ages 18-24) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (December 2018-January 2019) completed an online survey of tobacco use behavior. Past year smokers (n = 1726) answered questions about subjective responses to smoking (reward, satisfaction, throat hit, craving reduction, and aversion). RESULTS: Significantly more African American (73.2%) compared to White (52.4%) smokers preferred menthol cigarettes (p < .001). Menthol smokers reported greater positive and negative subjective responses to smoking than non-menthol smokers. Positive and negative subjective response were both associated with greater smoking intensity and lower cigarette harm perceptions. Interactions of menthol preference and race on indices of subjective appeal also emerged. African American non-menthol smokers reported lower levels of satisfaction, reward, and craving reduction compared to White non-menthol smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between menthol preference and subjective response to smoking differs by race. Menthol is rated as more appealing than non-menthol smoking, and appeal indices were linked to smoking intensity and lower harm perceptions, indicating greater abuse liability of menthol cigarettes. Policies that ban menthol cigarettes may have a particularly positive impact on the cigarette smoking of African American young adult smokers. IMPLICATIONS: The FDA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making to examine the role menthol in tobacco products to inform regulations to restrict or ban flavors. This study showed that menthol smokers reported greater appeal to smoking than non-menthol smokers; and an interaction of race x menthol preference showed African American non-menthol smokers reported the lowest levels of appeal to smoking. Multiple indices of cigarette appeal were positively correlated with smoking intensity and lower cigarette harm perceptions, highlighting the addiction potential of menthol cigarettes. Findings suggest a menthol cigarette ban could help reduce tobacco use among young adults.

Discrimination, Substance Use, and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Accessing Day Shelter Services.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults are overrepresented in the population of individuals experiencing homelessness, and high rates of substance use are common in this group. Plausibly, poor mental health and discrimination may contribute to substance use among SGM adults experiencing homelessness. This study described participant characteristics, and the interrelations among sociodemographic variables, substance use, mental health, and discrimination experiences among 87 SGM adults seeking services at a day shelter in Oklahoma City, OK. Discrimination experiences were characterized by race (White vs. non-White), sex (female vs. male), sexual identity (heterosexual vs. sexual minority), and gender identity (gender conforming vs. gender minority). METHODS: Participants reported their past 30-day tobacco (cigarette/cigarillos, alternative tobacco products [ATP]), alcohol, and marijuana use, as well as everyday and lifetime major discrimination experiences, substance use problems, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Independent samples t-tests examined differences in discrimination based on substance use and mental health. RESULTS: Participants had high rates of tobacco and marijuana use, substance use problems, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Over 80% reported experiencing everyday or lifetime major discrimination. Depression and PTSD were associated with ATP use, and anxiety was associated with alcohol use. All mental health variables were associated with substance use problems and everyday discrimination. Depression was associated with lifetime major discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: SGM adults accessing shelter services frequently experienced discrimination and poor mental health, and substance use was common. Future research should examine the causal impact of discrimination on mental health and substance use among SGM adults experiencing homelessness.

Online Narratives of Methamphetamine Use and Risky Sexual Behavior: Can Shame-Free Guilt Aid in Recovery?

Methamphetamine (meth) use is a recurring public health challenge in the U.S. In 2016, approximately 1.6 million Americans reported using meth. Meth use is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including those associated with users' sexual health. In particular, meth use is linked to an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. While studies have examined associations between substance use of various types-including meth use, and shame and guilt-few studies have examined relationships among substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and shame and guilt. No qualitative studies, to our knowledge, have studied all three of these phenomena in a sample of meth users. The present qualitative study explored the sexual risk behaviors and associated feelings of shame and guilt in relation to meth use. It draws from anonymous letters and stories (N = 202) posted to an online discussion forum by meth users and their family members. A grounded theory analysis of these narratives identified four primary themes pertaining to meth use and sexual behaviors: (1) feeling heightened sexual arousal and stimulation on meth, (2) experiencing sexual dissatisfaction on meth, (3) responding to sexual arousal and dissatisfaction, and (4) feeling ashamed and/or guilty. Ultimately, the present findings indicate that feelings of shame and guilt may arise more from the consequences of sexual risk behaviors stemming from meth use rather than meth use itself. The emotional toll of meth-induced sexual risk behaviors, particularly shame and guilt over the loss of meaningful relationships and self-respect due to multiple sexual partners, may provide an important opportunity for interventionists.

"It's a Whole Different Atmosphere": A Qualitative Examination of Social Support as a Facilitator of Exercise During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Emerging research identified physical inactivity and weight-related comorbidities as significant risk factors for contracting SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), reinforcing the importance of maintaining regular exercise during the pandemic. Previous scholarship in this area examined the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across various populations. Currently, there is limited research examining how these populations engage in and navigate challenges relating to exercise during shelter-in-place mandates and no studies examining the role of social support in promoting exercise during the pandemic. In this study, we examine perceptions of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic among members who belong to a fitness community based in Oakland, California. In-depth interviews (n = 31) were used to understand how the pandemic has affected participants' perceptions of current exercise habits and how understandings of social support facilitate engagement in physical activity. Reported narratives encompassed two primary themes: (1) Facilitators of Social Support and (2) Challenges and Barriers to Social Support. Our findings highlight the importance of social support for reinforcing perceptions of exercise adherence amid challenges experienced by members of a fitness community to remain physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Mobile Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone apps for smoking cessation could offer easily accessible, highly tailored, intensive interventions at a fraction of the cost of traditional counseling. Although there are hundreds of publicly available smoking cessation apps, few have been empirically evaluated using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The Smart-Treatment (Smart-T2) app is a just-in-time adaptive intervention that uses ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) to assess the risk for imminent smoking lapse and tailors treatment messages based on the risk of lapse and reported symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This 3-armed pilot RCT aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an automated smartphone-based smoking cessation intervention (Smart-T2) relative to standard in-person smoking cessation clinic care and the National Cancer Institute's free smoking cessation app, QuitGuide. METHODS: Adult smokers who attended a clinic-based tobacco cessation program were randomized into groups and followed for 13 weeks (1 week prequitting through 12 weeks postquitting). All study participants received nicotine patches and gum and were asked to complete EMAs five times a day on study-provided smartphones for 5 weeks. Participants in the Smart-T2 group received tailored treatment messages after the completion of each EMA. Both Smart-T2 and QuitGuide apps offer on-demand smoking cessation treatment. RESULTS: Of 81 participants, 41 (50%) were women and 55 (68%) were white. On average, participants were aged 49.6 years and smoked 22.4 cigarettes per day at baseline. A total of 17% (14/81) of participants were biochemically confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinent at 12 weeks postquitting (Smart-T2: 6/27, 22%, QuitGuide: 4/27, 15%, and usual care: 4/27, 15%), with no significant differences across groups (P>.05). Participants in the Smart-T2 group rated the app positively, with most participants agreeing that they can rely on the app to help them quit smoking, and endorsed the belief that the app would help them stay quit, and these responses were not significantly different from the ratings given by participants in the usual care group. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic smartphone apps that tailor intervention content in real time may increase user engagement and exposure to treatment-related materials. The results of this pilot RCT suggest that smartphone-based smoking cessation treatments may be capable of providing similar outcomes to traditional, in-person counseling. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02930200; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02930200.

Stressful life events are associated with perinatal cigarette smoking.

Perinatal smoking, including smoking during pregnancy and postpartum smoking relapse, is a persistent public health problem. While childhood trauma has been linked to perinatal smoking, less is known about the association with more proximal stressful life events (SLEs). The objective of this study was to examine the association between SLEs that occurred during the year prior to childbirth with perinatal smoking. Using the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2009-2011, perinatal smoking was assessed at three time points: (1) three months prior to pregnancy, (2) the last three months of pregnancy, and (3) two to six months postpartum. Survey respondents endorsed up to 13 SLEs (i.e., death of someone close). SLEs were analyzed individually, as well as using a cumulative score (range 0-13). Weighted analyses included unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression. Among those who smoked prior to pregnancy (n = 15,316), 48% (n = 7308) reported quitting smoking during pregnancy. Of those, 44% (n = 3126) reported postpartum smoking relapse. A total of 11 SLEs were associated with smoking during pregnancy and 2 SLEs were associated with postpartum smoking relapse. The odds of continued smoking during pregnancy was 12% higher for each SLE endorsed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09, 1.15) and this association was attenuated in relation to the odds of postpartum smoking relapse (aOR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.08). SLEs are associated with perinatal smoking. Additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action and to develop interventions specific to the needs of women who experience SLEs.

Applying the Problem Behavior Theory to Adolescent Drug Use Among a Cross-Sectional Sample of Boys Participating in a Community-Based Youth Organization.

BACKGROUND: Drug use remains an important public health concern in the United States, and understanding drug use among young adolescents is vital towards improving the health of the population. OBJECTIVE: This study applied the Problem Behavior Theory (PBT) to lifetime drug use among a cross-sectional sample of Boy Scouts (N = 770). The PBT provides a conceptual framework for identifying risk and protective factors for adolescent problem behaviors, including drug use. METHODS: Scouts reported their drug use and socio-demographics, and were assessed on several risk and protective factors. For analyses, sociodemographic and risk and protective factors were selected according to the framework provided by PBT, and use of each drug was regressed logistically on these selected factors. Final logistic models were assessed for goodness of fit and discriminatory power. RESULTS: The PBT demonstrated discriminatory power for all drugs (Tjur's R2 values ≥.29), but fell sharply for illicit drug use (Tjur's R2 =.20). There were no consistent correlates of drug use. Conclusions/Importance: The PBT had less explanatory power for illicit drug use compared to tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, which suggests different risk and protective factors were associated with illicit drug use.

Religious Beliefs Against Smoking Among Black and White Urban Youth.

This study explores the relation of religiosity to cigarette smoking in a sample of 4776 Black versus White adolescents. Findings show that Black adolescents have significantly stronger religious beliefs against smoking than do White students. Further, teens with strong or very strong religious beliefs are less likely to have smoked. The protective effect of religious beliefs against smoking was stronger for Whites than for Blacks. These findings suggest that efforts in the Black religious community to prevent cigarette smoking have been somewhat successful. Similar efforts in the White community might help stem the tide of tobacco use among White teens.

Greater Discrimination Frequency and Lower Distress Tolerance Are Associated with Mental Health Problems Among Racially Privileged and Minoritized Adults Accessing an Urban Day Shelter.

INTRODUCTION: Discrimination experiences may be a contributing factor to the elevated prevalence of mental health problems among adults experiencing homelessness. METHODS: Using survey data (N = 552) collected from adults seeking services at an urban day shelter, the relationships between everyday and major discrimination experiences, distress tolerance, and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor mental health days) were characterized. Distress tolerance was examined as a moderator of the relationship between discrimination and mental health problems. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly from racially minoritized groups (59.6%), non-Hispanic (88.7%), and male (70.9%), with an average age of 45.7 years old (SD = 11.7). Descriptive analyses indicated that the main reason for discrimination differed between racially privileged (i.e., White participants) and racially minoritized participants (i.e., participants who identified as Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or multi-race), such that homelessness was most commonly endorsed among racially privileged participants while racial discrimination was most commonly reported among racially minoritized participants. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed associations between everyday discrimination, major discrimination, and distress tolerance with mental health problems. Distress tolerance did not moderate the relations between discrimination and mental health problems in most analyses. Notably, major discrimination was no longer associated with all mental health variables when both everyday and major discrimination were included in all models. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that reducing everyday discrimination and addressing the adverse impact of everyday discrimination experiences may have a beneficial impact on mental health.

The association of sleep with physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness.

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation is a critical risk factor for physical and mental health problems. The current study examined whether sleep problems were related to housing status and physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness. METHODS: Data were collected via an anonymous survey completed by adults accessing services at a day shelter in Oklahoma City, OK. Demographic characteristics, sleep problems, days of poor physical and mental health, and self-rated health were assessed and compared across housing subgroups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine potential associations between sleep and health. RESULTS: Participants (N = 404) were predominantly male (71.0%) and racially minoritized (57.4%) with an average age of 47.0 (SD=11.6) years. Days of unintentional sleep over the past 30days differed significantly by housing status. Logistic regression analyses indicated that short sleep duration of ≤6 hours was associated with poorer self-rated health and more days of poor physical health over the past 30days compared to those who reported an optimal sleep duration of 7-9 hours. Additionally, reporting ≥1 day of unintentional daytime sleep was associated with more days of poor mental and physical health over the past 30-day. Reporting more days of inadequate sleep was associated with poorer self-rated health, and more days of poor physical and mental health over the past 30days. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems were associated with poorer physical and mental health among people experiencing homelessness. Safe environments where adults experiencing homelessness can sleep comfortably and without interruption may be needed to support good physical and mental health.

Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screening guidelines: a false positive.

Hydroxychloroquine sulphate (HCQ) is widely used for the treatment of a variety of rheumatological and dermatological conditions. Despite the advantages of HCQ as a treatment option, it is important to be aware of its potential retinal toxicity, which may be irreversible and progressive. In December 2020, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists published revised recommendations on monitoring HCQ retinopathy. Our case report highlights some of the shortcomings of blindly following their monitoring algorithm by presenting a case where apparent HCQ retinopathy resolved after Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy. The case reiterates the importance of thorough clinical examination. We suggest that while the acquisition of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence may be objective, their interpretation is subjective. Even with the use of artificial intelligence algorithms, false positives may be generated if the tests are confounded by copathology. There is no gold-standard test for detecting HCQ toxicity.

Unsheltered homeless and unstably housed adults have higher levels of stress and more health risk factors than sheltered homeless adults.

In the United States, approximately 580,000 individuals were homeless on a single night in 2020. Homelessness can be categorized into three subgroups: sheltered homeless, unsheltered homeless, and unstably housed. Few studies have examined the relations between homelessness subtypes, shelter service utilization, levels of stress experienced, and health risk factors. This study aimed to empirically examine whether shelter status the previous night was related to current stress, recent utilization of shelter-based mental health services, and current health risk factors. Data were collected at multiple homeless shelters in 2016 in the Oklahoma City area (N=575). All participants completed assessments of demographic characteristics, including age, sex, race, marital status, years of education, and incarceration history and victimization. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relations between homelessness subgroups and outcomes (shelter-based service utilization, health risk factors, and stressors). Results indicated that the sheltered group was younger and more likely to be White than the unsheltered group, had higher levels of education, and reported more lifetime months in jail than the unstably housed group. In addition, unsheltered homeless and unstably housed adults used fewer shelter-based health services, exhibited more health risk factors, experienced greater levels of stress, and had higher levels of food insecurity than sheltered homeless adults. Homeless adults who reside at shelters benefit most from available shelter services. The development of policies and programs targeted toward increasing sheltering options for unsheltered and unstably housed adults is needed.

Population and Neighborhood Correlates of Cannabis Dispensary Locations in Oklahoma.

Background: Cannabis dispensaries have proliferated exponentially in Oklahoma since the state legalized medical cannabis in 2018. Oklahoma is unique from many other legalized states given its high number of lower income, rural, and uninsured residents, who may seek medical cannabis as an alternative to traditional medical treatment. Methods: This study examined demographic and neighborhood characteristics associated with dispensary density (n = 1,046 census tracts) in Oklahoma. Results: Compared to census tracts with no dispensaries, those with at least one dispensary had a higher proportion of uninsured individuals living below the poverty level and a greater number of hospitals and pharmacies. Almost half (42.35%) of census tracts with at least one dispensary were classified as a rural locale. In fully adjusted models, percent uninsured, percent of household rentals, and the number of schools and pharmacies were positively associated with greater number of cannabis dispensaries, while the number of hospitals was negatively associated. In the best fitting interaction models, dispensaries were predominant in areas with a higher percentage of uninsured residents and no pharmacies, suggesting that cannabis retailers may capitalize on the health needs of communities with limited healthcare outlets or access to medical treatment. Conclusions: Policies and regulatory actions that seek to decrease disparities in dispensary locations should be considered. Future studies should examine whether people living in communities with a scarcity of health resources are more likely to associate cannabis with medical uses than those living in communities with more resources.

Efficacy of Web-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Helping Black Adults Quit Smoking.

BACKGROUND: Digital smoking cessation interventions may reduce racial disparities in cessation because they are low cost, scalable, and can provide support at any place or time. Despite their promise, whether Black adults engage with and benefit from these tools is largely unknown. In a secondary analysis of a randomized trial, we explored the efficacy of an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based website (WebQuit) for smoking cessation compared to a US clinical practice guidelines-based website (Smokefree.gov) among Black adults. METHODS: A total of 316 Black adult smokers were enrolled in the trial between May 2017 and September 2018 and received access to WebQuit or Smokefree for 12 months. Participants self-reported on 30-day and 7-day abstinence from cigarette smoking at 3, 6, and 12-months. Treatment engagement was objectively measured and compared between arms. Participants also reported on their willingness to accept cues to smoke without smoking. RESULTS: WebQuit versus Smokefree participants engaged more with their website (higher number of logins, Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.70, 2.89). Complete-case 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 12-months was 34% for WebQuit vs. 29% for Smokefree (OR = 1.22 95% CI: 0.73, 2.04). Increases in participants' willingness to accept cues to smoke mediated the intervention effect on abstinence from cigarette smoking at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study addressed the lack of research on the utilization and efficacy of digital interventions for helping Black adults quit smoking. WebQuit participants engaged more with their website and quit smoking at a somewhat higher rate relative to Smokefree participants, albeit nonsignificant. Findings suggest high acceptability of ACT-based digital interventions to enable Black adult smokers to engage and sustain behavior changes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01812278.

Associations between morning affect and later-day smoking urges and behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Affective experiences are associated with smoking urges and behavior. Few studies have examined the temporal nature of these associations within a day, such as whether positive and negative affect in the morning are associated with smoking urges and behavior later in the day. METHOD: Participants (N = 63; MAge = 50 years, 48% female; 60% White) were randomized into one of three smoking cessation interventions and answered up to five daily ecological momentary assessments for 28 days during a quit attempt (M = 21.0 days, SD = 7.1). Before analysis, scores for morning positive and negative affect and later-day smoking urges and behavior were calculated. RESULTS: On days when individuals' morning positive affect was higher than usual, later-day smoking urges tended to be lower than usual. In contrast, on days when individuals' morning negative affect was higher than usual, later-day smoking urges tended to be higher than usual, and smoking was more likely. Further, individuals who had higher characteristic morning positive affect tended to have less intense later-day smoking urges, whereas those who tended to have higher characteristic morning negative affect tended to have more intense later-day smoking urges. CONCLUSIONS: Morning positive and negative affect were associated with later-day smoking urges, and morning negative affect was related to later-day smoking behavior. Future research should examine whether interventions that boost positive affect on mornings when it is lower than usual and attenuate negative affect on mornings when it is higher than usual, may reduce the intensity of smoking urges and the likelihood of smoking later in the day. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).