Smoking Cessation, Version 3.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Although the harmful effects of smoking after a cancer diagnosis have been clearly demonstrated, many patients continue to smoke cigarettes during treatment and beyond. The NCCN Guidelines for Smoking Cessation emphasize the importance of smoking cessation in all patients with cancer and seek to establish evidence-based recommendations tailored to the unique needs and concerns of patients with cancer. The recommendations contained herein describe interventions for cessation of all combustible tobacco products (eg, cigarettes, cigars, hookah), including smokeless tobacco products. However, recommendations are based on studies of cigarette smoking. The NCCN Smoking Cessation Panel recommends that treatment plans for all patients with cancer who smoke include the following 3 tenets that should be done concurrently: (1) evidence-based motivational strategies and behavior therapy (counseling), which can be brief; (2) evidence-based pharmacotherapy; and (3) close follow-up with retreatment as needed.

Alveolar Epithelial Type I Cells Express β2-Adrenergic Receptors and G-protein Receptor Kinase 2

β2-Adrenergic agonists stimulate alveolar epithelial sodium (Na+) transport and lung fluid clearance. Alveolar type II (AT2) cells have been reported to express β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR). Given the large surface area covered by alveolar type I (AT1) cells and their potential role in alveolar fluid removal, we were interested in learning if AT1 cells express β2AR as well. Because β2AR is potentially susceptible to desensitization by G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), we also undertook localization of GRK2. β2AR and GRK2 expression was evaluated in whole lung, isolated alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and AECs in primary culture, and was localized to specific AEC phenotypes by immunofluorescence techniques. β2AR is highly expressed in AT1 cells. β2AR mRNA increases with time in culture as AT2 cells transdifferentiate towards the AT1 cell phenotype. Immunoreactive GRK2 is seen in both AT1 and AT2 cells in similar amounts. These data suggest that both AT1 and AT2 cells may contribute to the increased alveolar Na+ and water clearance observed after exposure to β2 adrenergic agents. Both cell types also express GRK2, suggesting that both may undergo desensitization of β2AR with subsequent decline in the stimulatory effects of β2-adrenergic agonists over time.

Effects of transdifferentiation and EGF on claudin isoform expression in alveolar epithelial cells

Rat alveolar epithelial type II cells grown on polycarbonate filters form high-resistance monolayers and concurrently acquire many phenotypic properties of type I cells. Treatment with EGF has previously been shown to increase transepithelial resistance across alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) monolayers. We investigated changes in claudin expression in primary cultured AEC during transdifferentiation to the type I cell-like phenotype ( days 0, 1, and 8), and on day 5 in culture ± EGF (10 ng/ml) from day 0 or day 4. Claudins 4 and 7 were increased, whereas claudins 3 and 5 were decreased, on later compared with earlier days in culture. Exposure to EGF led to increases in claudins 4 and 7 and decreases in claudins 3 and 5. Claudin 1 was only faintly detectable in freshly isolated type II cells and remained unchanged over time in culture and after exposure to EGF. These results suggest that increases in transepithelial resistance accompanying AEC transdifferentiation and/or EGF exposure are mediated, at least in part, by changes in the pattern of expression of specific claudin isoforms.

[Rheological behavior of tomato concentrates: effect of temperature and concentration]

The rheological properties of various brands of double concentrated tomato paste manufactured in Venezuela were studied. The effect of temperature (30, 40, 50, 60 degrees C) and concentration (15, 20, 25 and 30% total solids) was determined. A concentric cylinders viscometer Haake Rotovisco RV-2 was used for this purpose. A psudoplastic behaviour that followed the power law was found. The rheological parameters (consistency and behavior indexes) that characterize each paste were determined for the conditions of the study. According to the statistical analyses done the consistency index (K) diminished with an increase in temperature and increased as the concentration increased. An equation to determine the consistency index as a function of temperature and concentration was obtained. Likewise, it was found that temperature did not have a significant effect on the behavior index (n) in the range from 30 to 50 degrees C, however this effect was significant for some of the pastes at 60 degrees C. On the other hand, concentration levels above 20% total solids did not have a significant effect on the behavior index, but a significant effect was determined for 15% total solids.