Challenges and strategies in recruiting, interviewing, and retaining recent Latino immigrants in substance abuse and HIV epidemiologic studies

The growth of immigrant populations in the United States over the past 20 years has increased the need to enhance understanding about the risk factors that influence their substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors. Today, Latinos account for the largest majority of immigrants gaining entry into the United States. As the largest and fastest growing minority subgroup in the United States, they bear a disproportionate burden of disease and death compared to non-Latinos. Latinos are confronted with escalating HIV and substance-abuse problems, particularly Latinos between the ages of 18-34. This paper is based on our longitudinal study on the drug using and HIV risk behaviors of 527 recent Latino immigrants between the ages of 18-34 who have lived in the United States less than 1 year. The data collection activities of this study have provided insights in identifying, recruiting, interviewing, and retaining Latinos in community-based studies. Strategies, such as utilizing a combination of translation techniques, ensured the development and implementation of culturally appropriate questionnaires. Respondent-driven sampling facilitated identifying participants. Establishing rapport and trust was critical for interviewing, and maintaining a tracking protocol was most important for retention. The lessons learned from this study can guide substance abuse and HIV researchers when recruiting, interviewing, and retaining recent Latino immigrants in future epidemiologic studies.     

Homogenates of skeletal muscle injected with snake venom inhibit myogenic differentiation in cell culture

Introduction: Viperid snakebite envenomings are characterized by muscle necrosis and a deficient regenerative response. Methods: Homogenates from gastrocnemius muscles of mice injected with the venom of the snake Bothrops asper or with 2 tissue‐damaging toxins were added to cultures of C2C12 myogenic cells. Myoblasts proliferation and fusion were assessed. Venom was detected by immunoassay in mouse muscle during the first week after injection. Results: Homogenates from venom‐injected muscle induced a drop in the number of proliferating myoblasts and a complete elimination of myotube formation. The inhibitory effect induced by homogenates from venom‐injected mice was abrogated by preincubation of the homogenate with antivenom antibodies but not with control antibodies. This finding provides evidence that the effect is due to the action of venom in the tissue. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that traces of venom in muscle tissue might inhibit myotube formation and preclude a successful regenerative response. Muscle Nerve, 2013     

Use of antipsychotics and long-term risk of parkinsonism

Neurological Sciences - Few epidemiological studies have assessed the risk of parkinsonisms after prolonged use of neuroleptics. We aimed to examine the long-term risk of degenerative parkinsonisms...     

The Frontal Assessment Battery 20 years later: normative data for a shortened version (FAB15)

Neurological Sciences - The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a neuropsychological tool largely used to assess executive functions. Prior studies found a marked ceiling effect for the prehension...