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AbstractAimsThe present study examined how variation in mu- (OPRM1), kappa- (OPRK), and delta- (OPRD) opioid receptor genes may influence the efficacy of naltrexone in the context of a smoking cessation trial.MethodsThe study's primary objective was to examine the association of the Asn40Asp OPRM1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with naltrexone's effects on smoking quit rate, weight gain, and heavy drinking behavior during a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in 280 adult DSM-IV nicotine-dependent participants. The secondary goal of the study was to examine the relationship of 20 additional SNPs of OPRM1, OPRK, and OPRD with the aforementioned outcomes.ResultsResults indicated a null association between any opioid-receptor gene SNP and naltrexone's effects on smoking quit rate, weight gain, and heavy drinking behavior in this sample of nicotine dependent participants.ConclusionsIn sum, these results do not suggest that genetic variation in opioid-receptors is related to treatment responses to naltrexone in a smoking cessation trial.

We conducted a population-based prevalence survey in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to describe the distribution of arsenic exposure in a rural Bangladeshi population and to assess the population's awareness to this problem as well as to possible remediation options. Water samples from 5,967 contiguous tube wells in a defined geographic area were tested using laboratory-based methods. Additionally, for each well, the owner/caretaker (or a close relative) was interviewed regarding his or her awareness of the health consequences of As exposure. Arsenic exposure data and demographic characteristics for the 65,876 users of these wells were also collected from the 5,967 respondents. Among the 65,876 residents, more than half (54%) regularly consumed well water with an As concentration ≥ 50 μg/L—above the acceptable government standard in Bangladesh. Respondents were 15–92 years of age, with an average age of 42 years, and 43% were male. Presence of awareness was significantly related to male sex, nonlabor head of household occupation, better housing, and having had the well tested for As concentration. Most respondents (92%) expressed a willingness to take steps to reduce their exposure, with switching to a safe well the most favored option (46.2%). Willingness to reduce exposure was positively related to awareness of the health risks of As. However, the association between awareness and switching to a safe well [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.54] was no stronger than the associations between awareness and using surface water (with or without treatments) (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.22–1.95) or using an existing well after treatment or increasing the depth (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08–1.67). These findings suggest that health education programs may need to target individuals with lower socioeconomic status and that well switching should be encouraged with more appropriate health education. Increasing knowledge of the health consequences of As may be an important element in facilitating remediation.