Study title: A systematic review of RCTs to examine the risk of adverse cardiovascular events with nicotine use.

Associations between cigarette smoking and increased risk of cardiovascular disease are well established. However, it is unclear whether the association is mediated by exposure to nicotine and/or to other constituents in cigarette smoke. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) was to identify any potential associations between exposure to nicotine and the risk of clinically diagnosed adverse cardiovascular events in adult current users and nonusers of tobacco products. Among 1,996 results, 42 studies, comparing nicotine and non-nicotine groups, were included and were both qualitatively and quantitatively synthesized across the outcomes of arrhythmia, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death. The majority of studies evaluating nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death reported no events that occurred in either the nicotine or non-nicotine control groups. Among the studies that reported events, rates of adverse events were similarly low between both groups. Consistent with findings from previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses, pooled data showed that rates for arrhythmia, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death were not significantly different between nicotine and non-nicotine groups. The overall quality of the body of evidence for each of the four outcomes of interest was graded as "moderate," limited only by the imprecision of results. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that, with moderate certainty, there are no significant associations between the use of nicotine and the risk of clinically diagnosed adverse cardiovascular events-specifically, arrhythmia, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death.

A systematic review of preclinical studies evaluating the association between nicotine and the initiation and progression of cancer.

Background: The association between cigarette smoking and the increased risk of many cancers is well established. Conversely, epidemiological studies of smokeless tobacco demonstrate decreased risk, or no elevated risk, of certain cancers versus smoking. However, it is unclear what role, if any, nicotine plays in these associations. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the available evidence from preclinical studies that examined the potential association between nicotine and the initiation and/or progression of cancer. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for articles published from inception until February 13, 2022. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated animal cancer or tumor models, compared nicotine and non-nicotine groups, and evaluated measures of cancer initiation or progression. Results: Among 1,137 identified articles, 61 were included in qualitative synthesis. Twelve studies reported data on tumor initiation, and 54 studies reported data on tumor progression. The majority of the tumor initiation studies did not identify an association between nicotine exposure and an increased risk of spontaneous tumor initiation. Results of tumor progression studies were inconsistent and varied across the reported measures, cancer type being evaluated, and animal cancer model used. Overall, the quality of reporting was poor, with many studies not demonstrating a high level of internal and/or external validity. Conclusions: In conclusion, although animal models have provided invaluable data for human health risk assessments of chemical exposures, the heterogeneity across the studies included in this systematic review make the interpretation and generalizability of the results difficult.

An Examination of Substance Use Disorder Type, Legal Status of Drug, and Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: From the anti-tobacco and anti-marijuana campaigns of the twentieth century to the current controversies surrounding vaporizer use and the opioid epidemic, substances and substance use have been at the forefront of cultural, public health, and legal debates for decades. This work explores treatment outcomes among those with substance use disorders (SUD) by 1) comparing legal, semi-legal, and illegal drug types and their impact on treatment outcomes and 2) evaluating the extent that there exist discrepancies between those who need and those who receive treatment. Methods: Binary logistic regression models were employed with data from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine the relationship between type of SUD and treatment outcomes. Results: Results indicate that those with SUD to illegal drugs were generally more likely to report a need and receive treatment than those with SUD to a legal drug (alcohol use disorder). Those with SUD to some types of illegal drugs did not report more need, but in some cases reported more treatment. Additionally, analyses indicated that across treatment outcomes, those with marijuana use disorder (semi-legal drug) were less likely to report needing or receiving treatment than those with alcohol use disorder. Conclusions: This research examined the role of drugs' legal status and type of SUD in need for treatment and treatment received. The discrepancy between needing and receiving treatment suggests those with some types of SUDs may be pushed into treatment at higher rates based on the stigma surrounding the substance they use.

Hooking Up and Pairing Off: Correlates of College Students' Interest in Subsequent Hookups and Romantic Relationships With Other-Sex and Same-Sex Hookup Partners.

Contrary to popular media claims that college hookup culture has made romantic relationships obsolete, research indicates many college students see hookups as a pathway to relationships. However, relatively few college hookups actually produce relationships. This study used a sex market framework to explore correlates of college students' interest in future hookups and relationships with hookup partners across other-sex and same-sex hookup markets. Using Online College Social Life Survey data (N = 10,141) we explored variables classified in the following contexts that may shape choices in a sex market: demographic characteristics, the hookup dyad, the hookup event, post-hookup reactions, attitudes toward hookup partners, and hookup opportunity structures. Logistic regression analyses indicated post-hookup reactions (e.g., satisfaction, emotional responses) explained the highest percentage of variance in interest in a subsequent hookup (56% to 61% across markets) and interest in a relationship (35% to 45% across markets). Although past research suggests there are different markets for other- and same-sex hookups, these findings suggest similarity in contexts that may shape interest in relationship formation among other-sex and same-sex hookup markets. Suggestions for fostering positive relationship development on campuses are discussed.