Negative association of pretreatment cigarette use with smoking-induced striatal dopamine release in smokers receiving bupropion treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In an effort to help identify factors that maintain heavy smoking, this study tested the association of pretreatment cigarette use (cigarettes per day) with striatal dopamine release during smoking-cessation treatment. METHODS: Thirteen regular smokers (≥10 cigarettes per day) were evaluated on parameters of smoking behavior, and they entered a smoking cessation treatment protocol, including bupropion administration and individual counseling for 2 months. On week 7 of treatment, 10 of the participants underwent brain scans using [(11) C]raclopride with positron emission tomography to assess smoking-induced dopamine release in the caudate nucleus and putamen, inferred from changes in dopamine D2 -type receptor availability. RESULTS: Receptor availability, measured as binding potential referred to non-displaceable uptake (BPND ) in both striatal regions re-demonstrated a significant decrease after smoking a cigarette; and pre-treatment cigarette use significantly negatively correlated with smoking-induced dopamine release in the caudate. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The negative association of cigarette use with dopamine release suggests tolerance or down-regulation of the dopamine system by chronic smoking, or a pre-existing condition that promotes more frequent smoking. This association should be regarded as preliminary evidence that warrants verification. (Am J Addict 2016;25:486-492).

Computerized analysis of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in induced sputum for lung cancer detection.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer results from a multistep process, whereby genetic and epigenetic alterations lead to a malignant phenotype. Somatic mutations, deletions, and amplifications can be detected in the tumor itself, but they can also be found in histologically normal bronchial epithelium as a result of field cancerization. The present feasibility study describes a computer-assisted analysis of induced sputum employing morphology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (target-FISH), using 2 biomarkers located at chromosomes 3p22.1 and 10q22.3. METHODS: Induced sputum samples were collected using a standardized protocol from 12 patients with lung cancer and from 15 healthy, nonsmoking controls. We used an automated scanning system that allows consecutive scans of morphology and FISH of the same slide. Cells derived for the lower airways were analyzed for the presence of genetic alterations in the 3p22.1 and 10q22.3 loci. RESULTS: The cutoff for a positive diagnosis was defined as >4% of cells showing genetic alterations. Eleven of 12 lung cancer patients and 12 of 15 controls were identified correctly, giving an overall sensitivity and specificity of 91.66% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a new technology for detecting lung cancer noninvasively in induced sputum via a combination of morphology and FISH analysis (target-FISH) using computer-assisted technology. This approach may potentially be utilized for mass screening of high-risk populations.