Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and One‐Year Outcome in Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Background: Although opiate use may be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is not clear whether PTSD is associated with retention in methadone maintenance. Objectives: To evaluate among those receiving methadone maintenance at an urban methadone maintenance clinic the frequency of life‐time traumatic experiences, the predictors and prevalence of current PTSD, and whether PTSD affects retention at 1 year. Methods: Eighty‐nine people participated in the study. The Post Traumatic Diagnostic Scale was used to determine the prevalence of PTSD. The Life Stressor Checklist Revised was used to evaluate trauma history. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between demographic characteristics, substance use, trauma‐related variables, and PTSD. Similar logistic regression analyses were used to examine retention in methadone maintenance at 1 year. Results: The mean number of reported lifetime stressful events was 8.0 (SD = 3.7). Twenty‐seven percent were diagnosed with PTSD. Nearly 92% of those with PTSD had co‐occurring depressive symptoms. Female gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR][95% CI]; 3.89 [1.07–14.01]), number of traumatic events (AOR [95% CI]; 1.34 [1.13–1.61]), and less education (AOR [95% CI]; 4.13 [1.14–14.98]) were significantly associated with PTSD. Those with a toxicology positive screen were 80% less likely to remaine in methadone maintenance at 1 year (OR [95% CI]; 0.20 [0.07–0.52]). PTSD diagnosis was not significantly associated with treatment retention at 1 year (OR [95% CI]; 0.61 [0.23–1.64]). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Future studies are needed to determine if treatment of PTSD that is integrated into methadone maintenance programs may impact continued substance abuse use and thereby improve retention in care. (Am J Addict 2012;21:524–530)     

The FRAME multicentre project on in vitro cytotoxicology

An in vitro method for assessing the relative acute toxicities of chemicals was developed through the collaboration of four tissue culture laboratories. Cytotoxicity was measured by using a dye-binding method to determine inhibition of the proliferation of BCL-D1 cells 72 hr after addition of the test chemical. A blind trial with 50 chemicals showed that the test procedure gave results with a high degree of interlaboratory reproducibility.     

Use of a statewide Maternal and Child Health Information Network

The Maternal and Child Health Information Network (MATCH) contains numerous data elements. The process of converting these data into information is an essential component of comprehensive management information system planning. This process must address not only the end-user mechanics of data retrieval, but also the framework for how data can be used in program administration. Although potential data use contributes to and may in fact drive system design, the reality of integrating computer and data usage into daily activities presents a different set of challenges in system implementation. For both state and local end-users, barriers to system use had to be addressed. In terms of directing system use, it was helpful to provide a format for categorizing data needs. The broad categories of data needs identified for program administration were planning, research, evaluation, management, and collaboration. Numerous initiatives have evolved for each of these categories.     

What is known about the safety of multivitamin-multimineral supplements for the generally healthy population? Theoretical basis for harm

Assessment of the safety of nutrients presents a challenge different from that posed by the assessment of other chemicals in food such as additives or contaminants. Because nutrients are essential, a dose-response relation exists at both ends of the intake range, separated by a safe range of intake that reflects normal homeostatic processes. The safe intake may not be the same for all population groups and life stages. The size of the safe intake range for each nutrient will vary and in a few cases may be very small. Certain nutrients such as vitamin A and manganese have known and potentially serious adverse effects at high intakes, whereas others such as iron or vitamin C may have more minor adverse effects that are readily reversible and may only be associated with supplement intake. The risk of harm occurring from taking dietary supplements will depend on the safe intake range of the nutrient concerned, the susceptibility of the individual, and the likely intake of the same nutrient from other supplements or the rest of the diet. In many cases, the available database for the safety of nutrients is very limited because the studies, where available, were not designed to assess adverse effects but may have detected problems when they occurred. Further information on the safety of nutrients could be obtained through careful experimental design.     

Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants

This report represents the conclusions of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee convened to evaluate the safety of various food additives, including flavouring agents, with a view to recommending acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) and to preparing specifications for identity and purity. The Committee also evaluated the risk posed by two food contaminants, with the aim of advising on risk management options for the purpose of public health protection. The first part of the report contains a general discussion of the principles governing the toxicological evaluation and assessment of intake of food additives (in particular flavouring agents) and contaminants. A summary follows of the Committee's evaluations of technical, toxicological and intake data for certain food additives (acidified sodium chlorite, asparaginase from Aspergillus oryzae expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, carrageenan and processed Eucheuma seaweed, cyclotetraglucose and cyclotetraglucose syrup, isoamylase from Pseudomonas amyloderamosa, magnesium sulfate, phospholipase A1 from Fusarium venenatum expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, sodium iron(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and steviol glycosides); eight groups of related flavouring agents (linear and branched-chain aliphatic, unsaturated, unconjugated alcohols, aldehydes, acids and related esters; aliphatic acyclic and alicyclic terpenoid tertiary alcohols and structurally related substances; simple aliphatic and aromatic sulfides and thiols; aliphatic acyclic dials, trials and related substances; aliphatic acetals; sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds; aliphatic and aromatic amines and amides; and aliphatic alicyclic linear alpha, beta -unsaturated di- and trienals and related alcohols, acids and esters); and two food contaminants (aflatoxin and ochratoxin A). Specifications for the following food additives were revised: maltol and ethyl maltol, nisin preparation, pectins, polyvinyl alcohol, and sucrose esters of fatty acids. Specifications for the following flavouring agents were revised: maltol and ethyl maltol, maltyl isobutyrate, 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylfuran and 2,4,5-trimethyl-delta-oxazoline (Nos 1482, 1506 and 1559), and monomenthyl glutarate (No. 1414), as well as the method of assay for the sodium salts of certain flavouring agents. Annexed to the report are tables summarizing the Committee's recommendations for intakes and toxicological evaluations of the food additives and contaminants considered.     

The relationship of character strengths to sexual behaviors and related risks among African American adolescents

Background: Relatively few studies have examined positive character traits that are associated with lower HIV/STD risks.Purpose: In the present study, the relationships of character strengths with sexual behaviors and attitudes were assessed among 383 African-American adolescents.Method: Character strengths were measured using the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths. Because the strengths were highly inter-correlated, stepwise discriminant function analyses were utilized to assess their independent associations with sexual behaviors and attitudes.Results: Greater Love of Learning was related to self-reported abstinence from sexual intercourse for boys and self-reported abstinence from drug use for boys and girls. Greater Love of Learning and Curiosity were related to the belief in no premarital sex for boys, whereas only Curiosity was significant for girls. Prudence was related to reported abstinence from sexual intimacy (e.g., touching or kissing). Judgment was related to sexual initiation efficacy for girls and boys, whereas Leadership was only significant for girls.Conclusions: The findings suggest that character strengths may be associated with lower levels of sexual behaviors and sex-related beliefs among a sample of African-American adolescents. The data for the present study were collected at Jackson State University. This research was supported by grants from the Values in Action Institute of the Mayerson Foundation and the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (5R01HD039122-03).     

8q24 sequence variants in relation to prostate cancer risk among men of African descent: A case-control study

Background  

Human chromosome 8q24 has been implicated in prostate tumorigenesis.