Evidence-based practices for co-occurring disorders in offenders

Individuals with substance use and concurrent mental disorders or co-occurring disorders (CODs) present numerous risks and treatment challenges. CODs are particularly pronounced within criminal justice settings. Offenders with CODs have higher risk for recidivism and have unique problems including criminal thinking and antisocial behaviours, commonly referred to as “criminogenic needs”. Two important frameworks for treating CODs with offender populations are the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model (RNR) and the Social Learning Model (SLM). These help to guide the application of integrated evidence-based treatments (EBTs) including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), behavioural modification, behavioural social skills training and family therapy. Programmatic adaptions include comprehensive screening/assessment, specialised tracks for dual diagnoses, intensive and phased treatment, ancillary services (e.g. peer support, relapse prevention), cross-training of staff, interdisciplinary treatment teams, specialised caseloads, and linkage with community mental health and social services. EBTs and programmatic adaptations have been successfully applied in community, jail and prison settings, and research indicates that integrated and structured treatment approaches significantly reduce reoffending and recidivism. Aftercare or reentry services can improve successful transition back into the community and improve offender outcomes. Risk assessment and structured assessment can be used to match offenders to the appropriate level of care and intensity of services. Future research should include controlled trials that examine the effectiveness of integrated offender treatment programmes and their components on key outcomes that include recidivism, substance use, utilisation of behavioural health services and psychosocial functioning.     

Spinosad, a naturally derived insecticide, for control of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): efficacy, persistence, and elicited oviposition response

The naturally derived insecticide spinosad is a reduced-risk material that is neurotoxic to Diptera. The 24-h 50% lethal concentration by laboratory bioassay in third instars of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) (Rockefeller strain) was estimated at 0.026 ppm. Two identical field trials were performed in an urban cemetery in southern Mexico during the dry and wet seasons. Water containers treated with 1 or 5 ppm spinosad suspension concentrate (Tracer, Dow Agrosciences) were as effective in preventing the development of Aedes spp. (mostly Ae. aegypti) as temephos granules during both trials, whereas the bacterial insecticide VectoBac 12AS performed poorly. The half-life of aqueous solutions of spinosad (10 ppm) placed in a warm sunny location was 2.1 d, compared with 24.5 d for solutions in a shaded location. Spinosad, temephos, and VectoBac were not repellent to gravid Ae. aegypti at the concentrations tested, and no ovicidal properties were observed. The 24-h survival of neonate larvae but was reduced by 94-100% in the presence of residues carried over from the spinosad treatments, but it was not affected by residues of temephos or VectoBac. The toxicological properties of spinosad, combined with its favorable environmental profile, should encourage the detailed evaluation of spinosad as a mosquito larvicide in domestic and urban environments.     

Varying genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaya ringspot virus</Emphasis> isolates from two time-separated outbreaks in Jamaica and Venezuela

Summary Coat protein sequences of 22 Papaya ringspot virus isolates collected from different locations in Jamaica and Venezuela in 1999 and 2004, respectively, were determined and compared with sequences of isolates from earlier epidemics in 1990 and 1993. Jamaican isolates collected in 1999 exhibited nucleotide sequence identities between 98 and 100% but shared lower identities of 92.2% with an isolate collected in 1990. Isolates from the 2004 epidemic in Venezuela exhibited more heterogeneity, with identities between 88.7 and 98.8%. However, isolates collected in 1993 were more closely related (97.7%). The viral populations of the two countries are genetically different and appear to be changing at different rates; presumably driven by introductions, movement of plant materials, geographical isolation, and disease management practices.     

Protective effect of melatonin and sodium thiosulphate on histopathology and ultrastructure of the kidney in rats with acute paraquat poisoning

Paraquat (PQ) toxicity produces severe injures in many major organs systems, including kidney, developing renal failure with fatal evolution in most of the cases. Several antidotes have been used in the treatment of paraquat intoxication without satisfactory results. The antioxidative effect of melatonin (MLT) and sodium thiosulphate (STS) on kidney in rats with acute intoxication by PQ was studied. Forty male Wistar rats were used, divided in 4 groups of 10 rats each. Group I, control, was injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 1 ml of saline solution; group II, received DL50 of PQ, ip; groups III and IV, DL50 of PQ, and simultaneously the first dose of MLT (15 mg/kg, ip) or STS (1,5 g/kg, i.p.) respectively. Thirty minutes later, groups III and IV received a second similar dose of MLT and TSS. After 24 hours, rats were sacrificed with pentobarbital, and kidneys were extracted for morphological study. Light and electronic microscopy observations showed in group II morphological changes of acute tubular necrosis in proximal tubule in group II, similar findings, with lesser magnitude, were observed in the animals treated with the antidotes, suggesting a partial protection. In conclusion, individual use of MLT and STS at the doses and time used partially prevent damage caused by paraquat to the cell. In consequence, more experiments with these drugs are necessary to considere them as specific treatments in cases of poisoning by paraquat.     

急性肾盂肾炎的治疗效果

①住院与门诊患者治疗比较:缺乏比较急性单纯性肾盂肾炎女性住院与门诊患者治疗的随机对照试验(RCT).②静脉用抗生素治疗单纯性感染女性住院患者(氨苄西林,增效复方磺胺):缺乏静脉用抗生素与不用抗生素治疗比较的RCT;然而,这种RCT不可能实施.1个在女性单纯性肾盂肾炎住院患者中进行的RCT发现,静脉用氨苄西林 庆大与静脉用增效复方磺胺 庆大相比,在临床反应或尿细菌复现上无明显差异.1个在女性单纯性肾盂肾炎住院患者中进行的RCT发现,在临床治疗成功率方面,单剂静脉用妥布霉素 口服环丙沙星与口服环丙沙星 安慰剂相比无明显差异.缺乏设计良好的比较新、老静脉用抗生素的试验.③口服抗生素治疗单纯性感染妇女(增效复方磺胺、co-fimoxiclav或fluoroquinolone):缺乏口服抗生素与不用抗生素比较的RCT;然而,这种RCT不可能实施.1篇有关单纯性肾盂肾炎女性患者的系统评价及随后的1篇RCT发现,在细菌学或临床治愈率方面,口服增效复方磺胺、co-amoxiclav或afluoroquinolone(环丙沙星、诺氟沙星、左氧氟沙星或洛美沙星)之间无差别.     

Relationship between plasma ammonia concentration and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase isoenzyme activities in liver cirrhosis.

Ammonia is known to increase the secretion of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (Hex) to the extracellular medium in cultured human fibroblasts and Hep G2 cells. We examined 35 patients with liver cirrhosis and the results revealed a significant increase for the plasma activities of total Hex and its isoenzymes Hex A and Hex B (p < 0.001). The partial correlations, with other biochemical markers of liver injury constant, between plasma ammonia concentration and the activity (r = 0.658) and the proportion in percentage of the Hex B isoenzyme (r = 0.692) were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The increased concentration of ammonia could explain, at least partially, an increased secretion of Hex B isoforms to the plasma in patients with liver disease.     

Photoluminescent Grafted Polymers: Synthesis and Properties of a Polyethylene Matrix Covalently Linked with Porphyrin Units

Novel grafted polymers are prepared from commercial low‐density polyethylene (PE) films. First, precursor polymers are synthesized by reacting PE in the presence of acryloyl chloride, using gamma radiation at different radiation doses, to give precursor grafted polymers (PE‐g‐AC). A further esterification reaction between the PE‐g‐AC polymers with a new porphyrin derivative bearing a tetraethylene glycol side chain leads to the formation of novel grafted polymers containing porphyrin units (PE‐g‐AC‐PTEG). These polymers are characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and their thermal behavior is studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The optical properties of the polymers are studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the influence of the irradiation dose on the structure and the optical properties of the polymers is discussed in detail.