Reflections on the Continued Popularity of the Transtheoretical Model

Sometimes in health behavior research, purportedly novel theoretical models are offered that may help move thinking about behavior change forward, and may be well-received by clinicians, but over time end up being a subject of continual scientific disconfirmation. The transtheoretical model is one rather popular example. The five stages of change and associated 10 processes of change are well-known (e.g., DiClemente et al., 2008; DiClemente et al., 2004). Yet, the model has been discredited to a large extent by several in the health behavior research community. In the present editorial, we briefly summarize the transtheoretical model, mention its current ongoing popularity, identify the critiques of this model, and suggest how one might best consider the model in future health behavior research and practice

Menthol Cigarette Smoking and Obesity in Young Adult Daily Smokers in Hawaii

This study investigates 1) the relationship between menthol cigarette smoking and obesity and 2) the association of body mass index with the nicotine metabolite ratio among menthol and non-menthol daily smokers aged 18–35 (n = 175). A brief survey on smoking and measures of height and weight, carbon monoxide, and saliva samples were collected from participants from May to December 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Multiple regression was used to estimate differences in body mass index among menthol and non-menthol smokers and the association of menthol smoking with obesity. We calculated the log of the nicotine metabolite ratio to examine differences in the nicotine metabolite ratio among normal, overweight, and obese smokers. Sixty-eight percent of smokers used menthol cigarettes. Results showed that 62% of normal, 54% of overweight, and 91% of obese smokers used menthol cigarettes (p = .000). The mean body mass index was significantly higher among menthol compared with non-menthol smokers (29.4 versus 24.5, p = .000). After controlling for gender, marital status, educational attainment, employment status, and race/ethnicity, menthol smokers were more than 3 times as likely as non-menthol smokers to be obese (p = .04). The nicotine metabolite ratio was significantly lower for overweight menthol smokers compared with non-menthol smokers (.16 versus .26, p = .02) in the unadjusted model, but was not significant after adjusting for the covariates. Consistent with prior studies, our data show that menthol smokers are more likely to be obese compared with non-menthol smokers. Future studies are needed to determine how flavored tobacco products influence obesity among smokers

Ethnic Differences in Smoking Rate, Nicotine Dependence, and Cessation-Related Variables Among Adult Smokers in Hawaii

Magnetosomes in magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are among the most intriguing examples of subcellular structures in prokaryotes. The magnetosome particles consist of the magnetic iron mineral magnetite (or rarely greigite), which is enclosed within membrane vesicles.So far, the biomineralization process is poorly understood, but the magnetosome membrane (MM) seemed to be crucial in the biological control of magnetite formation.This work displays the first comprehensive biochemical and molecular investigations of the magnetosomes in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. The biochemical characteristics of the MM were investigated by using various proteomic approaches to analyze the protein composition. In total, a number of 17 magnetosome membrane-associated proteins were found to constitute the magnetosome subproteome, and most of these proteins are novel for Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. Except of one, all MMPs were encoded by open reading frames in the mms6-cluster, mamGFDC-cluster and mamAB-cluster. These three gene clusters are arranged within the magnetosome island, which comprises approximately 150 genes. At least 25 of the genes are involved in magnetosome formation. Most of the mam-genes were found to be conserved, in respect of nucleotide sequence and gene arrangement, in different magnetotactic strains. Based on the amino acid sequences of the identified MMPs, special functions in magnetosome formation like in iron accumulation, nucleation, crystal growth and in the arrangement and shape of the magnetosome particles within the cell are discussed.Initial deletion experiments of the mamGFDC-cluster revealed an effect on size and shape of single magnetosome particles.This is the first time GFP-fusions of MMPs were employed to study protein localization in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. Preliminary results indicate that the most abundant MMP (MamC) is localized exclusively in the MM

It ain't over till it's over: the case for offering relapse-prevention interventions to former smokers

Most people who attempt to quit tobacco smoking eventually relapse. Although treatment strategies have been developed to prevent smoking relapse, they tend to be available only to the small proportion of smokers who enroll in intensive smoking cessation treatments. It is argued that freestanding relapse-prevention interventions could be offered to persons who recently ceased smoking, whether they used a formal treatment program or quit on their own. A line of research is described demonstrating that a series of relapse-prevention booklets mailed to recent quitters significantly reduces smoking relapse. Moreover, the intervention seems to be highly cost-effective. If disseminated widely, such an approach has the potential to make a significant public health impact

Facilitator experiences and lessons learned from the Betel nut intervention trial (BENIT)

Abstract Background The Betel Nut Intervention Trial (BENIT; ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02942745) is the first known randomized intervention trial specifically designed for areca nut chewers in the western Pacific region who want to quit. The current study is a separate, exploratory study that examined the experiences of the BENIT facilitators during its implementation in Guam and Saipan of the Northern Mariana Islands and the extent to which the BENIT protocol was adapted to meet the participants’ and facilitators’ needs. Methods All six BENIT program facilitators completed an online survey consisting of quantitative (Likert scale) and qualitative (open-ended) questions. Survey items were grouped as follows: facilitator demographics, prior training and preparation, BENIT experience, beliefs about the program’s effectiveness, and beliefs about protocol adaptations. Results Most of the facilitators felt prepared to deliver the BENIT program after several weeks of moderately intensive training. Facilitators felt the BENIT program was generally effective and that the “trigger logs” and “self-monitoring logs” worked as intended. However, they also noted that more time and support would have been helpful to overcome some of the obstacles inherent to implementing a novel program. Conclusion The current findings can be used to inform, modify, and tailor subsequent areca nut cessation programs in Micronesian communities and to improve future versions of BENIT