The anticancer/cytotoxic effect of a novel gallic acid derivative in non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and lung cancer patients.

Gallic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring polyphenol with a strong antioxidant capacity. GA stimulates the apoptosis of cancer cells, thereby suppressing cancer cell invasion. However, the low oral permeability of GA limits its therapeutic use. In order to enhance the antioxidant capacity and oral permeability of GA, a series of compounds analogous to GA were synthesized: 4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (MBS), 3,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (DMBS) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (TMBS). In the new compounds, hydroxyl groups were replaced with various numbers of methoxy groups (stronger electron-donating groups), to increase hydrophobicity and oral permeability compared to GA. In addition, the carboxylic group was replaced with a sulfonyl group (a stronger electron-withdrawing group), to increase the molecular polarity and antioxidative activities of the compounds. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of GA, MBS, DMBS, and TMBS on cell proliferation and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals and non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells. Additionally, the comet assay was used to assess the genotoxicity of these compounds in PBMCs from healthy individuals, lung cancer patients, and A549 cells. Compared to untreated cells, TMBS reduced DNA damage more effectively than GA in PBMCs from lung cancer patients and healthy donors. Furthermore, in comparison to GA, TMBS was more cytotoxic in A549 cells. Moreover, TMBS was not cytotoxic in healthy PBMCs, suggesting that TMBS demonstrates therapeutic potential in cancer.

Smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions tailored for expectant and new fathers: protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure of pregnant women and newborns to secondhand smoke (SHS) can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Among expectant and new fathers, who are the main source of SHS exposure for pregnant women, new mothers and babies, smoking rates remain high. A partner's pregnancy potentially constitutes a critical period where expectant and new fathers are motivated to quit smoking. However, there is no consensus on the optimal form and delivery of smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions. We present a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol that aims to synthesise and evaluate the effectiveness of smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions tailored for this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: To identify relevant studies, we will conduct a comprehensive search, in English and Chinese, of 10 electronic databases. The review will include randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compare behavioural interventions (tailored and non-tailored) with/without the addition of pharmacotherapy with usual care, a minimal or placebo control for assisting expectant and new fathers to quit smoking and prevent smoking relapse. The primary outcome of interest is the self-reported and/or biochemically verified smoking abstinence at ≥1-month follow-up. Two reviewers will independently screen, select and extract relevant studies, and perform a quality assessment. Disagreements will be resolved by a consensus or third-party adjudication. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V.2 will be used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. We will obtain the results of the systematic review through pooled quantitative analyses using a network meta-analysis. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses will be performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review of published data. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022340617.

Hammett correlation in competition experiments in dissociation of ionised substituted benzophenones and dibenzylideneacetones.

A convenient method of applying competition experiments to devise a Hammett correlation in the dissociation by α-cleavage of 17 ionised 3- and 4-substituted benzophenones, YC6H4COC6H5 [Y=F, Cl, Br, CH3, CH3O, NH2, CF3, OH, NO2, CN and N(CH3)2] is reported and discussed. The results given by this approach, which rely on the relative abundance of [M-C6H5]+ and [M-C6H4Y]+ ions in the electron ionisation spectra of the substituted benzophenones, are compared with those obtained by previous methods. Various refinements of the method are considered, including reducing the ionising electron energy, making allowance for the relative abundance of ions such as C6H5+ and C6H4Y+, which may be formed to some extent by secondary fragmentation, and using substituent constants other than the standard σ constants. The reaction constant, ρ, of 1.08, which is in good agreement with that deduced previously, is consistent with a considerable reduction in electron density (corresponding to an increase in positive charge) at the carbon of the carbonyl group during fragmentation. This method has been successfully extended to the corresponding cleavage of 12 ionised substituted dibenzylideneacetones, YC6H4CH=CHCOCH=CHC6H5 (Y=F, Cl, CH3, OCH3, CF3, and NO2), which may fragment to form either a substituted cinnamoyl cation, [YC6H4CH=CHCO]+, or the cinnamoyl cation, [C6H5CH=CHCO]+. The derived ρ value of 0.76 indicates that the substituent, Y, influences the stability of the cinnamoyl cation somewhat less strongly than it does the analogous benzoyl cation.

Use of a positive psychology intervention (PPI) to promote the psychological well-being of children living in poverty: study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Poverty has a detrimental influence on psychological well-being of children. Existing evidence shows that positive psychology interventions are possible to mitigate such impact. Despite criticisms that positive psychology resembles a scientific Pollyannaism that promotes overly positivity, positive psychology is not the scientific Pollyannaism that denies the difficulties and emotions that people may experience. Whereas, positive psychology acknowledges the difficulties and emotions, alongside with building up human resilience, strength and growth to face adversity. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a positive psychology intervention among Hong Kong Chinese children living in poverty. METHODS: A feasibility randomised controlled trial will be conducted. A convenience sample of 120 children aged 13-17 years will be recruited from a community centre in Kwai Tsing district. Participants who are randomised into the experimental group will join a 1.5-hour workshop covering four positive psychology techniques: (1) gratitude visits/letters, (2) three good things, (3) you at your best and (4) using signature strengths. A booster intervention will be provided at 1 week. Control group participants will not receive any intervention. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 1-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics will be used to calculate the feasibility measures. Effect sizes on psychological outcomes (ie, self-esteem, depressive symptoms and quality of life) will be estimated by mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance using partial eta squared with poverty (yes, no) entering into the model as a factor. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institutional Review Broad. We will obtain parental consent as our subjects are below 18 years old. Findings from this study will be disseminated via international publications and conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04875507.

Proximity Effects in Mass Spectra of Benzanilides.

The analytical value of peaks arising by a proximity effect in the electron ionization mass spectra of benzanilides has been established by examining the spectra of numerous examples of general structure XC6H4NHCOC6H4Y. Significant [M-X]+ signals are observed only when X = Cl, Br, I or CH3O in the 2-position. The presence of strong [M-X]+ signals, but negligibly weak [M-Y]+ peaks, even when the C-Y bond would be expected to break more readily than the C-X bond, indicates that these diagnostically useful signals do not arise by simple cleavage. Similarly, the presence of an appreciable [M-Cl]+ signal, but no [M-Br]+ signal, in the spectra of representative examples of 4-Br-2ClC6H3NHCOC6H4Y, reveals that loss of a substituent from the 2-position occurs much more rapidly than fission of a weaker bond to a substituent in the 4-position. These trends are interpreted in terms of cyclization of the ionized 2-substituted benzanilide, followed by elimination of the substituent originally in the 2-position, to form a protonated 2-arylbenzoxazole.

Hammett Correlation in the Accelerated Formation of 2,3-Diphenylquinoxalines in Nebulizer Microdroplets.

The accelerated formation of 2,3-diphenylquinoxalines in microdroplets generated in a nebulizer has been investigated by competition experiments in which equimolar quantities of 1,2-phenylenediamine, C6H4(NH2)2, and a 4-substituted homologue, XC6H3(NH2)2 [X = F, Cl, Br, CH3, CH3O, CO2CH3, CF3, CN or NO2], or a 4,5-disubstituted homologue, X2C6H2(NH2)2 [X = F, Cl, Br, or CH3], compete to condense with benzil, (C6H5CO)2. Electron-donating substituents (X = CH3 and CH3O) accelerate the reaction; in contrast, electron-attracting substituents (X = F, Cl, Br and particularly CO2CH3, CN, CF3 and NO2) retard it. A structure-reactivity relationship in the form of a Hammett correlation has been found by analyzing the ratio of 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline and the corresponding substituted-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline, giving a ρ value of -0.96, thus confirming that the electron density in the aromatic ring of the phenylenediamine component is reduced in the rate-limiting step in this accelerated condensation. This correlation shows that the phenylenediamine acts as a nucleophile in the reaction.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disruption is a prevalent symptom reported by survivors of childhood cancer. However, there is no validated instrument for assessing this symptom in this population group. To bridge the literature gap, this study translated and adapted the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for Hong Kong Chinese cancer survivors and examined its psychometric properties and factor structure. METHODS: A convenience sample of 402 Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors aged 6-18 years were asked to complete the Chinese version of the PSQI, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), Fatigue Scale-Child (FS-C)/Fatigue Scale-Adolescent (FS-A), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). To assess known-group validity, 50 pediatric cancer patients and 50 healthy counterparts were recruited. A sample of 40 children were invited to respond by phone to the PSQI 2 weeks later to assess test-retest reliability. A cutoff score for the translated PSQI used with the survivors was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the PSQI had a Cronbach alpha of 0.71, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.90. Childhood cancer survivors showed significantly lower mean PSQI scores than children with cancer, and significantly higher mean scores than healthy counterparts. This reflected that childhood cancer survivors had a better sleep quality than children with cancer, but a poorer sleep quality than healthy counterparts. We observed positive correlations between PSQI and CES-DC scores and between PSQI and FS-A/FS-C scores, but a negative correlation between PSQI and PedsQL scores. The results supported that the Chinese version of the PSQI showed convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the translated PSQI data best fit a three-factor model. The best cutoff score to detect insomnia was 5, with a sensitivity of 0.81 and specificity of 0.70. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the PSQI is a reliable and valid instrument to assess subjective sleep quality among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors. The validated PSQI could be used in clinical settings to provide early assessments for sleep disruption. Appropriate interventions can therefore be provided to minimize its associated long-term healthcare cost. Trial registration This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the reference number NCT03858218.

Adventure-based training to enhance resilience and reduce depressive symptoms among juveniles: A randomized controlled trial.

There is growing concern about mental health problems among juveniles. Evidence shows that adventure-based training can reduce depressive symptoms in school children. However, a rigorous empirical investigation of the effectiveness of such training in enhancing resilience among juveniles has not yet been performed. In this study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of adventure-based training in enhancing resilience and self-esteem and reducing depressive symptoms among juveniles. Secondary school students from grades 7 to 9 (aged 12-16 years) who attended the Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre in a large public housing estate in Hong Kong from December 20, 2018 to November 25, 2019 were invited to participate in this study. We randomly assigned 228 eligible adolescents to an experimental group (n = 115) that received a 2-day/1-night adventure-based training or a placebo control group (n = 113) that received 2 days of leisure activities organized by the Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre. Data were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months after the corresponding interventions. The primary outcome was resilience at 6 months. The secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms and self-esteem at 6 months. Compared with the placebo control group, the experimental group showed significantly higher resilience (p = 0.001) and fewer depressive symptoms (p = 0.02) at 6 months, and significantly higher self-esteem at 3 months (p = 0.04), but not at 6 months (p = 0.12). However, the generalizability of the findings is limited as we used a convenience sample.

First Report on Smoking and Infection Control Behaviours at Outdoor Hotspots during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unobtrusive Observational Study.

This study was to observe smoking behaviours and infection control behaviours in smokers at outdoor smoking hotspots during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. We conducted unobtrusive observations at nine hotspots during 1 July 2019-31 January 2020 (pre-outbreak, 39 observations), 1 February-30 April 2020 (outbreak, eight observations), and 1 May-11 June 2020 (since-outbreak, 20 observations). Sex, age group, type of tobacco products used, duration of stay, group smoking behaviours, face mask wearing and infection control behaviours of smokers, and mask wearing of non-smoking pedestrians were observed. Compared with pre-outbreak, lower volumes of smokers were observed during outbreak and since-outbreak. Smokers gathered more in a group (24.5% and 25.8% vs. 13.4%, respectively) and stayed longer (91.5% and 83.6% vs. 80.6% stayed ≥1 min) during outbreak and since-outbreak than pre-outbreak. Ninety-six percent smokers possessed a face mask. While smoking, 81.6% of smokers put the mask under the chin and 13.8% carried it in the hand, 32.4% did not wear a mask immediately after smoking, 98.0% did not sanitize hands, and 74.3% did not keep a distance of at least one metre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, smokers gathered closely and stayed longer at the hotspots, and few practised hand hygiene, all of which may increase the risk of infection.

Promoting physical activity among children with cancer through an integrated experiential training programme with coaching: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate how the integrated experiential training programme with coaching could motivate children undergoing cancer treatment to adopt and maintain physical activity. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological approach was used. A purposive sample of 23 children and their parents participated in one-to-one 25-30-minute semistructured interviews. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Colaizzi's method of descriptive phenomenological data analysis was used. RESULTS: The integrated programme motivated children with cancer by increasing children's and parents' knowledge of physical activity, enhancing confidence in physical activity and improving physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, the programme provided children with encouragement and psychological support through coach companionship. The programme also facilitated children's participation in physical activity and modified perceptions of physical activity. CONCLUSION: This study addressed a gap in the literature by exploring how an integrated programme promoted and maintained physical activity in childhood cancer patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The integrated experiential training programme is feasible and can be easily sustained. Future studies could extend the programme beyond aspects of physical activity to help people change their health practices and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Highly branched poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) functionalized with an inducer molecule suppresses quorum sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum.

Bacterial quorum sensing has been implicated in a number of pathogenic bacterial processes, such as biofilm formation, making it a crucial target for developing materials with a novel antibiotic mode of action. This paper describes poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) that has been covalently linked, at multiple chain ends, to homoserine lactone to give a highly branched polymer functionalized with a key messenger molecule implicated in QS. This novel functional material has shown promising anti-QS activity in a Chromobacterium violaceum assay.

Relationships among fatigue, physical activity, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in Chinese children and adolescents surviving cancer.

PURPOSE: Fatigue is the most common concern reported by childhood cancer survivors. Assessing its occurrence and severity is a prerequisite for planning and evaluating appropriate interventions. Nevertheless, there is a lack of large-scale surveys which examine the occurrence and severity of fatigue and its associated factors. The study aimed to shed light on this under researched area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used. A total of 400 childhood cancer survivors (7- to 18-year olds) were invited to participate in the study. The cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, physical activity level, and quality of life of participants were assessed. RESULTS: An average of 46.4% of children and 48.4% of adolescents were found to display symptoms of cancer-related fatigue between "half the time" and "all the time" over the previous seven days. Besides, greater occurrence and severity of fatigue in childhood cancer survivors were associated with more self-reported depressive symptoms, lower level of physical activity and quality of life. In addition, the study revealed that physical activity level is a significant factor associated with cancer-related fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings provide further support that cancer and its treatment have adverse effects on survivors' fatigue, which can manifest months or even years after the completion of treatment. Importantly, this study reveals that physical activity is a significant factor associated with fatigue in children and adolescents. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to identify strategies that can help children and adolescents surviving cancer increase their adoption and maintenance of regular activity throughout their life.

An integrated experiential training programme with coaching to promote physical activity, and reduce fatigue among children with cancer: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of an integrated programme in promoting physical activity, reducing fatigue, enhancing physical activity self-efficacy, muscle strength and quality of life among Chinese children with cancer. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was conducted in a Hong Kong public hospital. Seventy eligible children were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 37) or a control group (n = 33). The experimental group received an integrated programme with 28 home visits from coaches over a 6-month period. The control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was fatigue at 9 months (3 months after intervention completion). Secondary outcomes were physical activity levels, physical activity self-efficacy, muscle strength and quality of life at 9 months, assessed at baseline, and 6 and 9 months after starting the intervention. RESULTS: The experimental group reported significantly lower levels of cancer-related fatigue, higher levels of physical activity and physical activity self-efficacy, greater right- and left-hand grip strength and better quality of life than the control group at 9 months. CONCLUSION: The programme is effective and feasible to implement among children with cancer and offers an alternative means of ameliorating the healthcare burden. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should build multidisciplinary partnerships to sustain such programmes.

Students' approaches to learning in a clinical practicum: A psychometric evaluation based on item response theory.

BACKGROUND: The investigation of learning approaches in the clinical workplace context has remained an under-researched area. Despite the validation of learning approach instruments and their applications in various clinical contexts, little is known about the extent to which an individual item, that reflects a specific learning strategy and motive, effectively contributes to characterizing students' learning approaches. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure nursing students' approaches to learning in a clinical practicum using the Approaches to Learning at Work Questionnaire (ALWQ). DESIGN: Survey research design was used in the study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A sample of year 3 nursing students (n = 208) who undertook a 6-week clinical practicum course participated in the study. METHODS: Factor analyses were conducted, followed by an item response theory analysis, including model assumption evaluation (unidimensionality and local independence), item calibration and goodness-of-fit assessment. RESULTS: Two subscales, deep and surface, were derived. Findings suggested that: (a) items measuring the deep motive from intrinsic interest and deep strategies of relating new ideas to similar situations, and that of concept mapping served as the strongest discriminating indicators; (b) the surface strategy of memorizing facts and details without an overall picture exhibited the highest discriminating power among all surface items; and, (c) both subscales appeared to be informative in assessing a broad range of the corresponding latent trait. The 21-item ALWQ derived from this study presented an efficient, internally consistent and precise measure. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provided a useful psychometric evaluation of the ALWQ in the clinical practicum context, added evidence to the utility of the ALWQ for nursing education practice and research, and echoed the discussions from previous studies on the role of the contextual factors in influencing student choices of different learning strategies. They provided insights for clinical educators to measure nursing students' approaches to learning and facilitate their learning in the clinical practicum setting.

Adventure-based training to promote physical activity and reduce fatigue among childhood cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms reported by childhood cancer survivors. Despite the body of evidence that regular physical activity helps alleviate cancer-related fatigue, insufficient participation in physical activity is frequently observed among childhood cancer survivors. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effectiveness of an adventure-based training programme in promoting physical activity, reducing fatigue, and enhancing self-efficacy and quality of life among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors. DESIGN: A prospective randomised controlled trial. SETTINGS: A paediatric oncology outpatient clinic, a non-governmental organisation, and a non-profit voluntary organisation. PARTICIPANTS: Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors aged 9-16 years who reported symptoms of fatigue and had not engaged in regular physical exercise in the past 6 months. METHODS: The experimental group underwent a 4-day adventure-based training programme. The control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was fatigue at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were physical activity levels, self-efficacy and quality of life at 12 months. Data collection was conducted at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after the intervention began. We performed intention-to-treat analyses. RESULTS: From 6 January, 2014 to 8 June, 2015, we randomly assigned 222 eligible childhood cancer survivors to either an experimental (n = 117) or a control group (n = 105). The experimental group showed statistically significantly lower levels of cancer-related fatigue (P < 0.001), higher levels of self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and physical activity (P < 0.001), and better quality of life (P < 0.01) than the control group at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that adventure-based training is effective in promoting physical activity, reducing cancer-related fatigue, and enhancing self-efficacy and quality of life among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors. These results may help inform parents and healthcare professionals that regular physical activity is crucial for the physical and psychological wellbeing and quality of life of childhood cancer survivors.

Helping cancer patients quit smoking using brief advice based on risk communication: A randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of a smoking cessation intervention using a risk communication approach. A total of 528 smoking cancer patients were randomly allocated either into an intervention group (n = 268) to receive brief advice based on risk communication by a nurse counselor or a control group (n = 260) to receive standard care. Subjects in both groups received a smoking cessation booklet. Patient follow-ups were at 1 week and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. No significant differences were found in self-reported point-prevalence 7-day abstinence between the intervention and control groups at 6 months (15.7% vs 16.5%; OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.59-1.50). The rate of at least 50% self-reported reduction of smoking at 6 months, was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (16.8% vs 12.3%; OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.88-2.35). The biochemically validated quit rate at the 6-month follow-up was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (5.2% vs 3.8%; OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.60-3.16). These data suggest that advice based on risk communication was not effective for quitting but improved the rate of smoking reduction among smoking cancer patients.

Comparison of two approaches in achieving smoking abstinence among patients in an outpatient clinic: A Phase 2 randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of quitting immediately and cutting down to quit in promoting smoking abstinence among smokers in an outpatient clinic. METHODS: A total of 100 subjects were randomized into two groups, 50 in the quit immediately group, who received an intervention on abruptly quitting, and 50 in the cut down to quit group, who received an intervention on gradual reduction. All subjects were followed up at 6 and 12 months via telephone. The intention-to-treat principle was used. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, the self-reported quit rate of subjects in the quit immediately group was significantly higher than in the cut down to quit group (18.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.04). However, this difference was not significant at the 12-month follow-up (12.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that quitting immediately might be more effective than cutting down to quit at 6 months but not at 12 months. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is crucial to allow smokers to select quitting immediately or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. Further studies are warranted to compare the effectiveness of various approaches for achieving smoking abstinence.

Brief intervention to promote smoking cessation and improve glycemic control in smokers with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a brief stage-matched smoking cessation intervention group compared with a control group (with usual care) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who smoked by randomized controlled trial. There were 557 patients, randomized either into the intervention group (n = 283) who received brief (20- minute) individualized face-to-face counseling by trained nurses and a diabetes mellitus-specific leaflet, or a control group (n = 274) who received standard care. Patient follow-ups were at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months via telephone, and assessment of smoking status from 2012 to 2014. Patients smoked an average of 14 cigarettes per day for more than 37 years, and more than 70% were in the precontemplation stage of quitting. The primary outcome showed that both the intervention and control groups had similar 7-day point-prevalence smoking abstinence (9.2% vs. 13.9%; p = 0.08). The secondary outcome showed that HbA1c levels with 7.95% [63 mmol/mol] vs. 8.05% [64 mmol/mol], p = 0.49 at 12 months, respectively. There was no evidence for effectiveness in promoting the brief stage-matched smoking cessation or improving glycemic control in smokers with type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly those in the pre-contemplation stage.

Development of a community-based network to promote smoking cessation among female smokers in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for population-based smoking cessation interventions targeting female smokers in Hong Kong. This study describes the development of a community-based network to promote smoking cessation among female smokers in Hong Kong. METHODS: Local women's organizations collaborated to launch a project to provide gender-specific smoking cessation services. In the first phase of the project, the Women Against Tobacco Taskforce (WATT) was created. In the second phase, a smoking cessation training curriculum was developed and female volunteers were trained. The third and final phase included the provision of gender-specific smoking cessation counseling services in Hong Kong. RESULTS: A need assessment survey with 623 workers and volunteers of WATT members was carried out to develop a gender-specific smoking cessation training curriculum. A 1-day training workshop to 28 WATT affiliates who provided brief cessation counseling in the community was organized. Fourteen organizations (69 service units) agreed to form a network by joining WATT to promote smoking cessation and increase awareness of the specific health risks among female smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The community-based network to promote smoking cessation was effective in helping female smokers to quit smoking or reduce their cigarette consumption. The results also suggest that this community model of promoting gender-specific smoking cessation services is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT02968199 (Retrospectively registered on November 16, 2016).