Exploring the association of John Henry active coping and education on smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Blacks in the USA

Although smoking is used as a coping tool in response to stress and Blacks have been found to report smoking more in response to stress than Whites, little research exists that has examined ethno-culturally specific constructs of stress and coping as they relate to smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Blacks in the USA. This study explored the association between the ethno-culturally interactively defined construct of John Henryism, as well as the individual contributions of John Henry active coping and education on smoking behavior and nicotine dependence in a relatively urban-Midwestern Black population. Self-identified Black patients (n=146) who had previously received a clinical intervention for nicotine dependence were followed to assess smoking status and John Henry active coping. Results revealed that patients with low levels of education who had low levels of John Henry active coping reported higher nicotine dependence scores than any other education by John Henry active coping group. Furthermore, low levels of John Henry active coping were associated with the use of menthol cigarettes and lower-educational level was associated with smoking greater than 20 cigarettes per day. Further community-based studies examining this construct among Black smokers in various socio-cultural contexts are needed to clarify the association between John Henry active coping and socioeconomic status on smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Blacks.John Henry active coping Smoking Blacks Nicotine dependence USA

Oxidation Half-Reaction of Aqueous Nucleosides and Nucleotides via Photoelectron Spectroscopy Augmented by ab Initio Calculations

Oxidative damage to DNA and hole transport between nucleobases in oxidized DNA are important processes in lesion formation for which surprisingly poor thermodynamic data exist, the relative ease of oxidizing the four nucleobases being one such example. Theoretical simulations of radiation damage and charge transport in DNA depend on accurate values for vertical ionization energies (VIEs), reorganization energies, and standard reduction potentials. Liquid-jet photoelectron spectroscopy can be used to directly study the oxidation half-reaction. The VIEs of nucleic acid building blocks are measured in their native buffered aqueous environment. The experimental investigation of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, nucleosides, pentose sugars, and inorganic phosphate demonstrates that photoelectron spectra of nucleotides arise as a spectral sum over their individual chemical components; that is, the electronic interactions between each component are effectively screened from one another by water. Electronic structure theory affords the assignment of the lowest energy photoelectron band in all investigated nucleosides and nucleotides to a single ionizing transition centered solely on the nucleobase. Thus, combining the measured VIEs with theoretically determined reorganization energies allows for the spectroscopic determination of the one-electron redox potentials that have been difficult to establish via electrochemistry

Transforming Anion Instability into Stability: Contrasting Photoionization of Three Protonation Forms of the Phosphate Ion upon Moving into Water

We use photoelectron emission spectroscopy with vacuum microjet technique and quantum chemistry calculations to investigate electronic structure and stability of aqueous phosphate anions. On the basis of the measured photoelectron spectra of sodium phosphates at different pH, we report the lowest vertical ionization energies of monobasic (9.5 eV), dibasic (8.9 eV), and tribasic (8.4 eV) anions. Electron binding energies were in tandem modeled with ab initio methods, using a mixed dielectric solvation model together with up to 64 explicitly solvating water molecules. We demonstrate that two solvation layers of explicit water molecules are needed to obtain converged values of vertical ionization energies (VIEs) within this mixed solvation model, leading to very good agreement with experiment. We also show that the highly charged PO₄^3– anion, which is electronically unstable in the gas phase, gains the electronic stability with about 16 water molecules, while only 2–3 water molecules are sufficient to stabilize the doubly charged phosphate anion. We also investigate the effect of ion pairing on the vertical ionization energy. In contrast to protonation (leading to a formation of covalent O–H bond), sodiation (leading to an anion···Na⁺ ion pair) has only a weak effect on the electron binding energy

Unexpectedly Small Effect of the DNA Environment on Vertical Ionization Energies of Aqueous Nucleobases

By a combination of ab initio calculations and photoelectron spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the DNA surrounding has only a negligible effect on ionization energies of nucleobases in the native aqueous environment. The aqueous solution thus effectively screens the sugar–phosphate backbone and the neighboring nucleobases. Consequently, vertical ionization potentials of nucleobases in aqueous DNA can be reliably derived from the corresponding values for its building blocks in water, that is, aqueous nucleobases, nucleosides, or nucleotides

Is Smoking Related to Body Image Satisfaction, Stress, and Self-Esteem in Young Adults?

Objectives: To examine the association of smoking and gender with body image satisfaction, perceived stress, and self-esteem in young adults. Methods: Respondents completed a survey consisting of Perceived Stress Scale, Body-Areas Satisfaction Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Current smokers (n = 483) and never smokers (n = 973) are included. Results: Smoking and female gender were independently associated with higher perceived stress (P \u3c 0.001). Female gender was associated with lower body image satisfaction and lower self-esteem (P \u3c 0.001). Current smoking was associated with lower self-esteem (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Smoking treatment should include stress management and self-esteem and body image improvement

Reduced turnaround times through multi-sectoral community collaboration during the first surge of SARS-CoV-2 and associated effect on patient care and hospital operations

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, an influx of admissions in COVID-19 positive patients threatened to overwhelm healthcare facilities in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Exacerbating this problem was an overall shortage of diagnostic testing capability at that time, resulting in a delay in time-to-result return. An improvement in diagnostic testing availability and timeliness was necessary to improve the allocation of resources and ultimate throughput of patients. The management of a COVID-19 positive patient or patient under investigation requires infection control measures that can quickly consume personal protective equipment (PPE) stores and personnel available to treat these patients. Critical shortages of both PPE and personnel also negatively impact care in patients admitted with non-COVID-19 illnesses. METHODS: A multisectoral partnership of healthcare providers, facilities and academicians created a molecular diagnostic lab within an academic research facility dedicated to testing inpatients and healthcare personnel for SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of the laboratory was to provide a temporary solution to the East Baton Rouge Parish healthcare community until individual facilities were self-sustaining in testing capabilities. We describe the partnership and the impacts of this endeavor by developing a model derived from a combination of data sources, including electronic health records, hospital operations, and state and local resources. FINDINGS: Our model demonstrates two important principles: the impact of reduced turnaround times (TAT) on potential differences in inpatient population numbers for COVID-19 and savings in PPE attributed to the more rapid TAT