Cigarette smoking represents the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the world today, and is responsible for enormous health-related economic burdens. Among other medical sequelae, erectile impairment has been shown to be associated with chronic tobacco use. The primary aim of the present study was to provide the first empirical investigation of the effects of smoking cessation on physiological and subjective indices of sexual health. Sixty-five long-term, heavy smoking men participated in a smoking cessation program and were assessed at baseline (while smoking regularly), at mid-treatment (while using a high dose nicotine transdermal patch), and at 4-week follow-up. Physiological and subjective sexual arousal indices, as well as self-reported sexual functioning (as measured by the International Index of Erectile Functioning (IIEF)) were assessed during each visit. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that at followup successful quitters (n = 20), compared to those who relapsed (n = 45), showed significant improvements in physiological and subjective sexual arousal. Specifically, men demonstrated enhanced erectile responses, decreased latencies to reach maximum erectile capacity, and faster onset to reach maximum subjective sexual arousal. Although participants displayed across-session enhancements in self reported sexual function, successful quitters did not show a differential improvement compared to participants who relapsed. The results of the present investigation provide the first empirical evidence that smoking cessation significantly enhances both physiological and self-reported indices of sexual health in long-term male smokers, irrespective of baseline erectile impairment. It is hoped that these results may serve as a novel and enticing means to influence men to quit smoking. Increasing successful smoking cessation in men would significantly enhance quality of life, substantially reduce premature death, and alleviate enormous economic burdens caused by smoking-related diseases. / text

Background and Objective: Smoking is one of the major risk factors for chronic periodontitis. However, the mechanisms involved in tissue degradation due to cigarette smoking are not clear. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are a system of molecules that regulate bone resorption. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), OPG and their relative ratio in GCF among periodontitis patients with varying smoking histories. Material and Methods: GCF samples were collected from 149 periodontitis patients who were never smokers (n=58), former smokers (n=39) and current smokers (n=52). sRANKL and OPG concentrations in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: sRANKL, OPG and their relative ratio were not statistically significant among the never smokers, former smokers and current smokers. However, OPG was significantly reduced and subsequently the sRANKL:OPG ratio was significantly increased in the high pack-years group as compared with never smokers. The positive correlation between packyears and sRANKL:OPG ratio was statistically significant even after adjusting for age and current smoking status. Conclusion: Increased lifetime exposure to cigarette smoking above a minimum threshold suppresses OPG production and leads to increased sRANKL:OPG. This may partially explain increased bone loss in smoking-related periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352109 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry, 2009

Background and Objective: Smoking is one of the major risk factors for chronic periodontitis. However, the mechanisms involved in tissue degradation due to cigarette smoking are not clear. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are a system of molecules that regulate bone resorption. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), OPG and their relative ratio in GCF among periodontitis patients with varying smoking histories. Material and Methods: GCF samples were collected from 149 periodontitis patients who were never smokers (n=58), former smokers (n=39) and current smokers (n=52). sRANKL and OPG concentrations in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: sRANKL, OPG and their relative ratio were not statistically significant among the never smokers, former smokers and current smokers. However, OPG was significantly reduced and subsequently the sRANKL:OPG ratio was significantly increased in the high pack-years group as compared with never smokers. The positive correlation between packyears and sRANKL:OPG ratio was statistically significant even after adjusting for age and current smoking status. Conclusion: Increased lifetime exposure to cigarette smoking above a minimum threshold suppresses OPG production and leads to increased sRANKL:OPG. This may partially explain increased bone loss in smoking-related periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352109 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry, 2009

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-90).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 306-323).

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1993. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, page: 0341. Adviser: Benjamin S. Bradshaw. Includes bibliographical references

Objective: To examine sociodemographic, medical, and substance use factors associated with smoking continuation during pregnancy. Methods: Data from 221 consecutive prenatal patients were analyzed. Results: Of the 67% who were pre-pregnancy smokers (n=148), 27% quit during pregnancy, whereas another 43% reduced by > 1/4 pack/day. Women who continued to smoke had lower incomes, more prior pregnancies, were less likely to have adequate prenatal care, and smoked more and for more years than did women who quit during pregnancy. Conclusion: Several characteristics predicted pregnancy smoking in this sample. Results suggest ways to more effectively target pregnant women for successful smoking cessation.

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