Ethnoracial differences in cannabis use among native-born and foreign-born high school students in Ontario

The objective of this study was to examine the association of ethnoracial background and immigrant status to cannabis use among students in Ontario, Canada. Data were derived from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, a school-based, province-wide survey of students in Grades 7–12. The survey utilized a stratified two-stage cluster design. Analyses were based on a pooled subsample of 12,527 students in Grades 9–12 during the 2011 and 2013 survey cycles and included adjustments for the complex sample design. Results indicate that youth who were of South Asian or East/Southeast Asian background were at lower odds of cannabis use than those who were White, Black, or mixed-race backgrounds. Youth who were of mixed-race background (i.e., White and another group) were at higher odds of cannabis use than youth who were of White background. The association between ethnoracial background and cannabis use also varied for some foreign-born and native-born youth. These findings suggest that ethnoracial background should be an important consideration in investigations of cannabis use among foreign- relative to native-born youth.     

A review of suicide prevention programs and training policies for pharmacists

Objectives

The availability of suicide prevention training programs for pharmacists is unknown and may depend on state training requirements. This study’s objectives were to: 1) report state training requirements for pharmacist suicide education; and 2) describe educational resources that are available to prepare pharmacists for interactions with patients at risk of suicide.

Characterization of actions taken during the delivery of medication therapy management: A time-and-motion approach

Objectives

To characterize actions performed by pharmacists and support staff during provision of medication therapy management (MTM) and to compare actions performed according to practice characteristics.

Nanomagnetic Modulation of Tumor Redox State

Modulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in a tumor could be exploited for nanotherapeutic benefits. We investigate the antitumor effect in Walker-256 carcinosarcoma of magnetic nanodots composed of doxorubicin-loaded Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles combined with electromagnetic fields. Treatment using the magnetic nanodot with the largest hysteresis loop area (3402 erg/g) had the greatest antitumor effect with the minimum growth factor 0.49 ± 0.02 day^–1 (compared to 0.58 ± 0.02 day^–1 for conventional doxorubicin). Electron spin resonance spectra of Walker-256 carcinosarcoma treated with the nanodots, indicate an increase of 2.7 times of free iron (that promotes the formation of highly reactive oxygen species), using the nanodot with the largest hysteresis loop area, compared to conventional doxorubicin treatment as well as increases in ubisemiquinone, lactoferrin, NO-FeS-proteins. Hence, we provide evidence that the designed magnetic nanodots can modulate the tumor redox state. We discuss the implications of these results for cancer nanotherapy.     

Identifying viable theoretical frameworks with essential parameters for real-time and real world alcohol craving research: a systematic review of craving models

Background: Substance use is known to be episodic, dynamic, complex, and highly influenced by the environment, therefore a situational and momentary focus to alcohol craving research is appropriate. Current advances in mobile and wearable technology provide novel opportunities for craving research. However, the lack of consensus within craving theory impedes the identification and prioritization of parameters to be monitored. The aim of this study is to critically review current craving models in order to determine viable theoretical frameworks of alcohol craving and its essential parameters.

Methods: Eighteen models of craving were reviewed by applying a literature search with a five-step strategy that accounted for the momentary nature of craving and included a snowballing search and a key term extraction algorithm. Based on this review, multiple decision criteria were defined upon which to evaluate the models.

Results: Six models for alcohol craving were supported by sufficient empirical research to be eligible. The inferences drawn on these six models resulted in three decision criteria: the model should (1) incorporate negative affect as a predictor of relapse; (2) explain that dependent drinkers have a higher attentional bias towards alcohol cues than nondependent drinkers; (3) incorporate increased risk of relapse with heightened stress levels.

Conclusions: The affective processing model of negative reinforcement, the cognitive processing model, the incentive sensitization theory of addiction and the theory of neural opponent motivation are classified as viable theoretical frameworks, resulting in negative affect and stress as relevant parameters to include in real-time craving monitoring research.     

NK and NKT-like cells in granulomatous and fibrotic lung diseases

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Background The pathogenetic and regulatory roles of natural killer (NK) and natural killer T-like cells in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), fibrotic and...