Re: [DIV28SUPER] peril of e-cigarettes

I think it is important to distinguish between two quite distinct issues:

1) Acute toxicity of nicotine: it has long been known that nicotine in pure form is highly toxic, and even medicinal nicotine products are not without risk if they fall into the hands of children. It is therefore imperative that the FDA regulate all forms of nicotine to ensure that packaging is acceptably safe;

2) The chronic health risks of moderate doses of nicotine, which are far less than those of cigarettes, according to most experts. These experts include Mitch Zeller, Director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (he stated the conclusion about nicotine at a recent FDLI conference). Theoretical speculations about nicotinic/muscarinic balance must be viewed in the context of hard evidence, which thus far suggests that nicotine is indeed much less harmful than smoking. See also the findings of the Lung Health Study and other epidemiologic studies of the effects of nicotine when derived from non-combusted tobacco.

Dr. Neal Benowitz, quoted in the New York Time news article, has written:

"The development of a consumer-acceptable inhaled nicotine delivery system with absorption kinetics similar to those of a cigarette would be an important advancement in pursuing harm reduction through nicotine maintenance."
(Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 83(4):531-41, 2008)

The recent Surgeon General's report estimated 480,000 premature deaths from smoking, largely due to the non-nicotine components of smoke produced by burning tobacco. E-cigarettes represent a promising approach to reducing this enormous death toll, and while FDA regulation is necessary to minimize the risk to children, to label the e-liquid "poison" is a bit of hyperbole that does not contribute to a sensible discussion of the topic.

Sincerely,

Jed E. Rose, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Smoking Cessation
and Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Duke University Medical Center
2424 Erwin Road, Suite 201
Durham, NC 27705
919-668-5055 (phone)
919-668-5088 (FAX)

Dukesmoking.com


-----Original Message-----
From: div28super reaches div28 and div28m and its nested lists (e.g. div28s) [mailto:DIV28SUPER@LISTS.APA.ORG] On Behalf Of Herbert Barry III PhD
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 10:38 AM
To: DIV28SUPER@LISTS.APA.ORG
Subject: [DIV28SUPER] peril of e-cigarettes

When I initially heard about e-cigarettes, I doubted that they were safe alternatives to tobacco because of omitting components of tobacco that cause lung cancer and other maladies. Nicotine is a powerful endogenous substance, and overloding the system with exogenous nicotine might have adverse side effects, such as disrupting the balance between nicotinic and muscarinic stimulation.

The new information about toxic and even lethal effects of liquid nicotine indicates a very severe peril. I am reminded now about reports, many years ago, that swallowing a few cigarettes might be lethal because of overdose of nicotine. The effect is greatly diluted when nicotine is in a smoked cigarette.

An analogy is the dangerous and even lethal effects of overdose and chronic ue of morphine, heroin, ad other opiates. An important advance of our knowedge a few decades ago was the discovery of endorphins, which are endogenous sources of analgesia, miimicke by opiates.
--- Herb Barry

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Re: [DIV28SUPER] peril of e-cigarettes

Herb,

You are absolutely on target. What concerns me especially is that young women will find these to be attractive alternatives to tobacco, and will be unaware of the potential risks to the fetus once they become pregnant. Marijuana legalization poses the same kind of problems, of course. I wish more public attention were being paid to such risks. It took a long time for us to become sensitive to developmental neurotoxicants.

Bernie

_______________________

 Bernard Weiss, Ph.D.

Professor of Environmental Medicine

University of Rochester

School of Medicine and Dentistry

Rochester, NY 14642

tel:         585-275-1736

fax:        585-256-2591

E-mail:   bernard_weiss@urmc.rochester.edu

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/20026103-bernard-weiss/articles

From: Herbert Barry III PhD <BARRYH@PITT.EDU>
Reply-To: "BARRYH@PITT.EDU" <BARRYH@PITT.EDU>
Date: Monday, March 24, 2014 10:37 AM
To: "DIV28SUPER@LISTS.APA.ORG" <DIV28SUPER@LISTS.APA.ORG>
Subject: [DIV28SUPER] peril of e-cigarettes

When I initially heard about e-cigarettes, I doubted that they were safe

alternatives to tobacco because of omitting components of tobacco that

cause lung cancer and other maladies. Nicotine is a powerful endogenous

substance, and overloding the system with exogenous nicotine might have

adverse side effects, such as disrupting the balance between nicotinic and

muscarinic stimulation.

The new information about toxic and even lethal effects of liquid nicotine

indicates a very severe peril. I am reminded now about reports, many years

ago, that swallowing a few cigarettes might be lethal because of overdose

of nicotine. The effect is greatly diluted when nicotine is in a smoked

cigarette.

An analogy is the dangerous and even lethal effects of overdose and

chronic ue of morphine, heroin, ad other opiates. An important advance of

our knowedge a few decades ago was the discovery of endorphins, which are

endogenous sources of analgesia, miimicke by opiates.

--- Herb Barry

___________________ div28SUPER@lists.apa.org _____________________

Div28m members may post here        subscribers corner: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://lists.apa.org/&k=lmxj0uloiQslubycBXSv7A%3D%3D%0A&r=RUE8K3ka04JfRBVhf2YohULpWbmkBCGVUmLQPkiROvw%3D%0A&m=keEyqiFUxTQaTYtCN9TLDa0o8k7VrbefQVZdbaBT9zc%3D%0A&s=1667d1a058418c911f7f7e3418b9728f5c56883d25f439b9db591a2551af1410

[DIV28SUPER] peril of e-cigarettes

When I initially heard about e-cigarettes, I doubted that they were safe
alternatives to tobacco because of omitting components of tobacco that
cause lung cancer and other maladies. Nicotine is a powerful endogenous
substance, and overloding the system with exogenous nicotine might have
adverse side effects, such as disrupting the balance between nicotinic and
muscarinic stimulation.

The new information about toxic and even lethal effects of liquid nicotine
indicates a very severe peril. I am reminded now about reports, many years
ago, that swallowing a few cigarettes might be lethal because of overdose
of nicotine. The effect is greatly diluted when nicotine is in a smoked
cigarette.

An analogy is the dangerous and even lethal effects of overdose and
chronic ue of morphine, heroin, ad other opiates. An important advance of
our knowedge a few decades ago was the discovery of endorphins, which are
endogenous sources of analgesia, miimicke by opiates.
--- Herb Barry

___________________ div28SUPER@lists.apa.org _____________________
Div28m members may post here subscribers corner: http://lists.apa.org

[DIV28SUPER] NYTimes: Selling a Poison by the Barrel: Liquid Nicotine for E-Cigarettes

http://nyti.ms/OPTavk

"E-liquids" used to refill e-cigarettes are potent, unregulated neurotoxins. Evidence of the potential dangers is already emerging.

#div28
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[DIV28M] Highlighting PsycCRITIQUES blog posting "Don=?Windows-1252?Q?=92t?= Worry, Be Happy, Try These Pills"

This notice has been sent on behalf of Danny Wedding, editor of APA's online book and film review journal PsycCRITIQUES. APA developed a PsycCRITIQUES blog that makes it possible for interested psychologists around the world to read selected book and film reviews and comment on the issues raised in those reviews.  We think this week's blog posting, entitled "Don't Worry, Be Happy, Try These Pills" about the book "Happy-People-Pills for All" would interest members of Division 28.

 

For the coming week, this blog posting is on the home page at http://psyccritiquesblog.apa.org/ (afterwards, it will be found in our Recent Posts list or our Archives).

At this site you can review the blog and make comments (click on the red comments button at the bottom of the probe).

We would welcome your comments to this blog posting, or any previous postings you may find of interest in our archives. You can also subscribe to all new blog posts via email and web-based news readers at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/PsycCRITIQUESBlog .

 

Regards,

Christine Pearce

Managing Editor, PsycCRITIQUES

Reviewer Guidelines and Forms available at

http://www.apa.org/pubs/databases/psyccritiques/reviewer-guidelines.aspx

 

Editorial Office mailing address:

Christoph Zepeda, Editorial Assistant, PsycCRITIQUES

California School of Professional Psychology

Alliant International University

One Beach St., Suite 200

San Francisco, CA 94133-1221

Fax: 314-754-9913

Editorial office phone: (415) 955-2177

Phone for C. Pearce in Oregon: (541) 246-8690

Journal Email: cpearce@alliant.edu (if difficulty with this email, try psyccritiques@gmail.com)

 

Visit the PsycCRITIQUES Blog: http://psyccritiquesblog.apa.org/

and comment on or read featured reviews

 

[DIV28SUPER] FW: Postdoctoral opportunity for trainees

A postdoctoral training position is available in the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders
(http://www.scripps.edu/research/cnad/) at The Scripps Research Institute (www.scripps.edu). The trainee will benefit from a vibrant research environment in CNAD which houses the laboratories of multiple investigators focused on topics related to substance abuse. The Taffe laboratory will serve as the primary training environment but collaborative work with one or more of our ongoing collaborators is expected. Current projects in the laboratory focus on the reinforcing, addictive and toxic effects of psychomotor stimulants, including novel cathinone derivatives, of the exogenous cannabinoids/cannabimimetics and of prescription opioids in rodent models. In addition to basic behavioral and neurobiological consequences, the group investigates the potential of anti-drug vaccination and/or physical exercise to moderate drug effects.

Applicants should have a recent doctoral degree in neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, experimental psychology or related field and a strong interest in substance abuse research. An ability to think critically and creatively, along with strong writing and communication skills is essential. Previous experience with /in vivo/ rodent models is preferred, but not essential. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. /The Scripps Research Institute is an equal opportunity employer and individuals underrepresented in the field are especially encouraged to apply./

Please send a cover letter, CV and contact information for three references to Dr. Taffe (mtaffe@scripps.edu).

--
Michael A. Taffe, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders Mailcode SP30-2400 The Scripps Research Institute
10550 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla CA 92037
ph. 858.784.7228; fax: 858.784.7405
http://www.scripps.edu/cnad/taffe/

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[DIV28SUPER] Summer Institute on Innovative Methods

Announcing the 2014 Methodology Center Summer Institute on Innovative Methods:

 

Experimental Design and Analysis Methods for Developing Adaptive Interventions: Getting SMART

 

We are pleased to announce that Drs. Daniel Almirall and Inbal "Billie" Nahum-Shani, Methodology Center researchers at the University of Michigan, will be teaching this year's Summer Institute on Innovative Methods, "Experimental Design and Analysis Methods for Developing Adaptive Interventions: Getting SMART."  Sponsored by Penn State'sMethodology Center and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the 19th Summer Institute will introduce adaptive interventions; provide the background needed to plan a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART); and present the data analysis methods needed to construct adaptive interventions using SMART study data.

The institute will be held June 19-20, 2014, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Please visithttp://methodology.psu.edu/summerinstitute/ to learn more and submit your application. The deadline for applications isMarch 31.

 

Background

 

The management of many health disorders often entails a sequential, individualized approach whereby treatment is adapted and re-adapted over time in response to the specific needs and evolving status of the individual. Adaptive interventions provide one way to operationalize the strategies (e.g., continue, augment, switch, step-down) leading to individualized sequences of treatment. An adaptive intervention is a sequence of decision rules that specify whether, how or when (timing) to individualize treatment in the course of an individual's care. Often, a wide variety of critical questions must be answered when developing a high-quality adaptive intervention. Yet, there is often insufficient empirical evidence or theoretical basis to address these questions. The sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART)—a type of research design—was developed explicitly for the purpose of building high-quality adaptive interventions. SMART designs represent an attractive alternative to the standard randomized clinical trial when the overarching aim is to construct (as opposed to evaluate) a high-quality adaptive intervention.

Sample of Topics to be Covered

• When and why adaptive interventions are needed
• The critical components of adaptive interventions: decision points, tailoring variables, intervention options and decision rules
• SMART study principles, including how to provide a rationale for designing a SMART
• Data analytic strategies used to examine primary and secondary scientific aims in a SMART

In addition to the above topics, several hands-on computer exercises will be woven throughout the lecture, and time will be reserved for question/answer periods and open discussion.  

 

Learn More

 

http://methodology.psu.edu/summerinstitute/

Katie Bode-Lang, Assistant Director
The Methodology Center · Penn State University
400 Calder Square II · University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814.867.0333 · kbodelang@psu.edu
Web: http://methodology.psu.edu