Characterization of chemicals mediating ovipositional host-plant finding byAmyelois transitella females

Ovipositional host-finding in the navel orangeworm,Amyelois transitella (Walker), is brought about by an in-flight response to host odors. Wind-tunnel studies of the response of gravid females to almonds showed that this response is mediated primarily by long-chain fatty acids, particularly oleic acid and linoleic acid. Evidence for the behavioral activity of fatty acids is based on the fact that: (1) behavioral activity of almond oil was concentrated in a single liquid chromatographic fraction whose composition was predominantly long-chain fatty acids, (2) behavioral activity was lost when either almond oil or the active fraction of that oil was treated with diazomethane, (3) full activity was elicited by a selective extraction of free fatty acids from crude almond oil, and (4) upwind response by females was elicited by a blend of synthetic oleic and linoleic acids, albeit at a level less than that elicited by almond oil. Five fatty acids identified from the almond oil were: myristic acid (1%), palmitic acid (16%), stearic acid (3%), oleic acid (58%), and linoleic (22%). Attraction to various combinations of synthetic acids was observed only when oleic acid was present, and oleic acid elicited upwind flights to the source when presented alone; however, short-range responses were enhanced by the addition of linoleic acid, which elicited no long-range orientation by itself. Despite significant levels of attraction to synthetic blends, the percentage of females flying to the source was lower than that flying to acidulated almond oil, the best natural attractant tested. Thus, although longrange response may be mediated primarily by a blend of oleic and linoleic acids, additional and as yet unidentified components must also play an important role. Long-range chemically modulated host finding in this and other generalist plant feeders is discussed with respect to current models of the evolution of host finding, and it is argued that suggestions that long-range host finding should be correlated with narrowness of host utilization are logically flawed and are not supported by our current understanding of specific examples of host finding.     

Primary care physicians' willingness to offer a new genetic test to tailor smoking treatment, according to test characteristics

Emerging pharmacogenetics research may improve clinical outcomes for common complex conditions typically treated in primary care settings. Physicians' willingness to offer genetically-tailored treatments to their patients will be critical to realizing this potential. According to recent research, it is likely that genotypes used to tailor smoking will have pleiotropic associations with other addictions and diseases, and may have different frequencies across populations. These additional features may pose an additional barrier to adoption. To assess physicians' willingness to offer a new test to individually tailor smoking treatment according to specific test characteristics, we conducted a national mailed survey of 2,000 U.S. primary care physicians (response rate: 62.3%). Physicians responded to a baseline scenario describing a new test to tailor smoking treatment, and three additional scenarios describing specific test characteristics based on published research; there was random assignment to one of two survey conditions in which the test was described as a genetic or non-genetic test. Our findings indicate physicians' self-reported likelihood (0-100 scale) that they would offer a new test to tailor smoking cessation treatment ranged from 69%-78% across all scenarios. Relative to baseline scenario responses, physicians were significantly less likely to offer the test when informed that the same genotypes assessed for treatment tailoring: (1) may also identify individuals predisposed to become addicted to nicotine (p<.001), (2) differ in frequency by race (p<.004), and (3) may have associations with other conditions (e.g., alcohol and cocaine addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD and Tourette Syndrome) (p<.01). Describing a new test to individually tailor smoking treatment as a "genetic" versus non-genetic test significantly reduced physicians' likelihood of offering the test across all scenarios, regardless of specific test characteristics (p<.0007). Effective education of primary care physicians will be critical to successful integration of promising new pharmacogenetic treatment strategies for smoking.     

Gender differences in acute tobacco withdrawal: Effects on subjective, cognitive, and physiological measures.

Gender differences in tobacco withdrawal are of considerable clinical importance, but research findings on this topic have been mixed. Methodological variation in samples sizes, experimental design, and measures across studies may explain the inconsistent results. The current study examined whether male (n = 101) and female (n = 102) smokers (≥15 cigarettes/day) differed in abstinence-induced changes on a battery of self-report measures (withdrawal, affect, craving), cognitive performance tasks (attention, psychomotor performance), and physiological responses (heart rate, blood pressure, brain electroencephalogram). Participants attended 2 counterbalanced laboratory sessions, 1 following 12 hr of abstinence and the other following ad libitum smoking. Results showed that women reported greater abstinence-induced increases in negative affect, withdrawal-related distress, and urge to smoke to relieve withdrawal distress. In contrast, both genders reported similar abstinence-induced changes in positive affect and urge to smoke for pleasure. Men and women exhibited generally similar abstinence-induced changes in physiological and cognitive performance measures. In addition, gender did not moderate the association between withdrawal symptoms and baseline measures of smoking behavior and dependence. Abstinence-induced changes in withdrawal distress mediated the effect of gender on latency until the 1st cigarette of the day at trend levels ( p     

A brief assessment of concerns associated with genetic testing for cancer: The multidimensional impact of cancer risk assessment (MICRA) questionnaire.

The Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA) is a new tool to measure the specific impact of result disclosure after genetic testing. The authors compared its performance with that of questionnaires measuring general and cancer-specific distress. Participants (158 women) responded 1 month after they received genetic test results. The women were divided into 4 standard clinical test result groups: BRCA1/2 positive, BRCA1/2 negative, panel negative, and true negative. Factor analysis supported the formation of 3 subscales: Distress (6 items, α= .86), Uncertainty (9 items, α= .77), and Positive Experiences (4 items, α= .75). All 3 MICRA subscales differentiated participants who were BRCAI/2 positive from the other 3 groups. MICRA thus helps identify subgroups of vulnerable genetic testing participants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incorporating biomarkers of exposure and genetic susceptibility into smoking cessation treatment: Effects on smoking-related cognitions, emotions, and behavior change.

In this article the authors report on the short-term impact of incorporating biomarker feedback about exposure and genetic susceptibility into minimal-contact quit-smoking counseling (QSC). Four hundred and twenty-seven smokers were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments: (a) QSC, (b) QSC + exposure biomarker feedback (EBF) about carbon monoxide in exhaled breath, or (b) QSC + EBF + biomarker feedback about genetic susceptibility to lung cancer (SBF). We observed significant immediate positive effects of SBF, compared with EBF and QSC, on perceived risk, perceived quitting benefits, and fear arousal. However, at the 2-month follow-up, there were no group differences in quit rates. SBF did lead to significant reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked for smokers who were in the preparation stage. Smokers in the EBF and QSC conditions showed reductions in depressive symptoms by 2 months, but smokers in the SBF condition did not. In the context of QSC, genetic feedback may heighten vulnerability and possibly promote distress, but may not immediately enhance quitting in most smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence suggesting the role of specific genetic factors in cigarette smoking.

Twin studies suggest that propensity to smoke and ability to quit smoking are influenced by genetic factors. As a means of investigating the risk of smoking associated with genetic polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter (SLC6A3) and the D? dopamine receptor (DRD2) genes, a case-control study of 289 smokers and 233 nonsmoking controls and a case series analysis of smokers were conducted. A significant effect for SLC6A3 and a significant gene-gene interaction were found in a logistic regression model, indicating that individuals with SLC6A3-9 genotypes were significantly less likely to be smokers, especially if they also had DRD2-A2 genotypes. Smokers with SLC6A3-9 genotypes were also significantly less likely to have started smoking before 16 years of age and had prior smoking histories indicating a longer period of prior smoking cessation. This study provides preliminary evidence that the SLC6A3 gene may influence smoking initiation and nicotine dependence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dysfunctional attitudes and attribution style in healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia, psychotic depression, and nonpsychotic depression.

Compared the scores of 242 psychiatric inpatients with schizophrenia, psychotic depression, or nonpsychotic depression and 53 healthy controls on the Attribution Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS). Results provide mixed support for the cognitive and learned helplessness models of depression. Depressed Ss scored significantly higher than healthy controls on the DAS and ASQ, but there were no differences between depressed and schizophrenic Ss. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic testing: Psychological aspects and implications.

As the number of genes associated with inherited disease continues to grow, researchers and practitioners in behavioral medicine will encounter complex psychological issues faced by individuals at risk for these diseases. A review of the literature concerning prenatal, carrier, and predictive genetic testing suggests that the severity of psychological risks posed by research-based genetic testing is not great. However, subgroups of individuals with particular psychological traits may be more vulnerable to adverse effects. Available data do not provide evidence that genetic testing promotes changes in health-related behaviors. Thus, although there may be less of a role for mental health professionals in the psychological counseling of genetic testing participants, there is a need for research and practice to facilitate health protective behaviors in response to genetic risk information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An association of CYP2A6 genotype and smoking topography.

Nicotine is metabolized into biologically inactive cotinine primarily by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2A6. CYP2A6 genetic variations have been phenotypically grouped as slow, intermediate, and normal metabolizers. Slow metabolizers smoke fewer cigarettes daily and weekly, and have lower carbon monoxide (CO) and plasma nicotine levels, suggesting a reduced smoking rate compared with normal metabolizers. CYP2A6 also is involved in the metabolic activation of tobacco-specific procarcinogenic nitrosamines, such as 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). NNK is one of the most abundant and potent procarcinogens in cigarette smoke. The present study investigated the association of CYP2A6 genotype with smoking topography, a quantifiable measure of smoking behavior, in a sample of treatment-seeking smokers prior to treatment. Smoking topography measures indicative of quantity of smoke exposure--number of puffs, mean puff volume, and total puff volume--were the outcome variables. Covariates associated with smoking topography were included in the analyses. Results indicated that CYP2A6 genotype group had a significant effect on mean puff volume and total puff volume, but not number of puffs, such that slow metabolizers exhibited reduced puffing compared with others. Smokers having CYP2A6 variants resulting in low activity metabolize nicotine more slowly, and convert procarcinogen nitrosamines to carcinogens more slowly, than do normal metabolizers. The results from this study also suggest a behavioral mechanism that may account for reduced cancer risk in slow metabolizers.     

Recurrent event analysis of lapse and recovery in a smoking cessation clinical trial using bupropion.

We report a reanalysis of data from a prior study describing the event history of quitting smoking aided by bupropion, using recurrent-event models to determine the effect of the drug on occurrence of lapses and recoveries from lapse (resumption of abstinence). Data were collected on 1,070 subjects across two similar double-blind randomized clinical trials of bupropion versus placebo and fitted with separate Cox regression models for lapse and recovery. Analyses were split using discrete time-varying covariates between the treatment (weeks 1-10) and follow-up phases (end of treatment to 12 months). Bupropion was associated with slower lapse during treatment for both sexes, and being female was associated with faster lapse across both phases. Drug did not affect time to recovery for males but was associated with faster recovery among females, allowing women to recover as quickly as men. High levels of nicotine dependence did not affect time to lapse but were associated with slower recovery from lapse across treatment and follow-up phases. During the treatment phase, higher levels of baseline depression symptoms had no effect on time to lapse but were associated with slower recovery from lapse. Results highlight the asymmetry in factors preventing lapse versus promoting recovery. Specifically, dependence, depression symptoms, and a sex x drug interaction were found to affect recovery but not lapse. Further research disentangling lapse and recovery events from summary abstinence measures is needed to help us develop interventions that take advantage of bupropion at its best and that compensate where it is weak.