Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Prev (2022) 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a drug and violence resistance educational program (Programa Educacional de Resistência às Drogas e à Violência-PROERD) on latent substance use profiles over a 9-month follow-up period. Two PROERD curricula were evaluated through a cluster randomized controlled trials with two parts that included a total of 4030 fifth-and seventh-grade students in 30 public schools in São Paulo. The intervention groups received 10 PROERD classes delivered by trained police officers, while the control group received no intervention. Read More

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06279-1248, USA.

Introduction: Heterosexist stigma, including microaggressions experienced in their own racial/ethnic communities, may partially explain disproportionate levels of substance use involvement among Black sexual minority men (BSMM). A strong sense of ethnic identity may provide BSMM with a protective resource. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between ethnic identity and substance use in BSMM. Read More

East Mediterr Health J 2022 Apr 28;28(4):288-295. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Psychology Department, College of Education, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Prescription drug abuse has emerged as the fastest growing problem globally. While people of all ages suffer from the harmful effects, the impact on the health of young people and their quality of life constitutes a significant public health problem.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of the use of prescription drugs and other substances among university students. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2022 12;9(4):003313. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

St Barnabas Hospital Health System, Bronx, NY, USA.

Inhalants are common drugs of abuse. Hydrocarbons, the active ingredient in most inhalants, exert depressant effects on the central nervous system, causing a 'high'. In the heart, hydrocarbon toxicity can predispose patients to arrhythmias and heart failure through increased sympathetic susceptibility. Read More

Cureus 2022 Mar 27;14(3):e23548. Epub 2022 Mar 27.

Translational Research, Independent, Toronto, CAN.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the trends in substance use among pregnant women in the United States.

Methodology:  In this retrospective study, we utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) dataset sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) under the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Major Diagnostic Category (MDC) 14 (Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium) and International Classification of Disease (ICD 10) codes were used to identify pregnancy-related diagnoses and presentations with any of the substance use disorder (SUD) indicators that met the inclusion criteria among the birthing population in the NIS dataset (2016-2018). Read More

Front Psychol 2022 11;13:812247. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, United States.

As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the globe, many veterans with substance use issues have faced the closure of treatment facilities, mandates to shelter in place, and social distancing measures. To better understand their pandemic experiences, substance use changes, and functioning, a survey was nationally administered to a sample of United States veterans reporting substance use issues during the pandemic. The purpose of this cross-sectional online survey for veterans ( = 409) was to report on COVID-19 experiences, safety behaviors, and infection experiences while also investigating the relationship among addictive behaviors, mental and physical health, and COVID-19 impact. Read More

Front Allergy 2021 1;2:668781. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

Royal National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

The nose provides a route of access to the body for inhalants and fluids. Unsurprisingly it has a strong immune defense system, with involvement of innate (e.g. Read More

Front Allergy 2022 8;3:824717. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain.

Only a small fraction of proteins in plants and animals are classified as allergens. The allergenic properties are frequently attributed to certain functional characteristics of the proteins, such as a role in the plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress, to achieve the systematic acquired resistance. In line with this, eight members out of 17 functional pathogenesis-related (PR) protein families have been characterized as allergens. Read More

J Med Chem 2022 04 1;65(7):5514-5527. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.

Asthma patients in resource-poor countries cannot obtain adequate basic asthma medications because most asthma medications are supplied as inhalants. An alternative approach is to create oral antiasthmatic drugs with high β/β-selectivity, which should reduce treatment costs. In this study, we designed a cohort of compounds using 2-(4-amino-3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-(-butylamino)ethan-1-ol hydrogen chloride () as the lead compound with an aim to expand the library of compounds possessing the 2-amino-2-phenylethanol scaffold. Read More

Brain Sci 2022 Mar 10;12(3). Epub 2022 Mar 10.

TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain.

(1) Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between identifying as transgender and substance use. (2) Methods: We searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PsycINFO on 21 July 2021. (3) Results: Twenty studies comparing transgender and cisgender people were included in this work, accounting for a total of 2,376,951 participants (18,329 of whom were transgender). Read More

Curr Opin Psychol 2022 Feb 20;45:101312. Epub 2022 Feb 20.

Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081, BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Two new trends in adolescent substance use have emerged: e-cigarette use and nitrous oxide (N0) use. E-cigarettes are often tried out before traditional cigarettes, are easily available and regarded as harmless by adolescents. Studies increasingly show negative health effects of regular e-cigarette use, including the risk of becoming a smoker of traditional cigarettes and nicotine addiction. Read More

BMC Psychiatry 2022 03 17;22(1):191. Epub 2022 Mar 17.

Department of Psychiatry, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Background: The earlier younger people begin to use drugs, the more vulnerable they become to both their short term and long-term harmful effects. The overall aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse, the socio-demographic characteristic, perception of abuse and associated economic indicators and mental disorders and how they inform potential intervention in a cohort of Kenyan students.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on a total of 9742 high school, college and university students. Read More

Tob Induc Dis 2022 2;20:12. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

Introduction: E-cigarette ever use has risen significantly in recent years in Ireland, similar to trends elsewhere in Europe, the United States, and Asia-Pacific region. Results from ESPAD Ireland (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs) show teenage e-cigarette ever use increased from 18% (2015) to 37% (2019). Given this increase, our aim is to profile e-cigarette ever users and never users in this age group; to examine sociodemographic, personal, peer, and familial factors associated with e-cigarette ever use; and to suggest appropriate measures to reduce use. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2022 11;37:101627. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

University of Yamanashi Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine 2, Shimokato 1110, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.

The patient was a 70-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, alcoholic liver disease and bronchial asthma treated with corticosteroid and long-acting β-agonist inhalants. He had also been treated with nivolumab for advanced malignant melanoma for two years with a partial response. He presented to our department with intractable cough, which was attributed to uncontrolled bronchial asthma. Read More

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2022 1;50(2):131-141. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Central Laboratory, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands;

Background: Allergen component sensitisation testing is becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis of peanut allergy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sensitisation and symptoms of allergic disease in children by testing a large panel of inhalants, food allergens, and allergen components.

Methods: For 287 children visiting our laboratory for allergy testing, symptoms of allergic disease were recorded by standardised validated questionnaires. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2022 Feb 17;22(1):65. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Department of Rehabilitation, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) decreases quality of life and muscular strength. Inspiratory flow is important for inhalants in the bronchi but is complicated to measure in routine practice. We hypothesized that hand grip strength (HGS) would correlate with inhalation rate in patients with mild COPD. Read More

Clin Transl Allergy 2022 Feb 6;12(2):e12096. Epub 2022 Feb 6.

Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health University of Verona Verona Italy.

Background: Co-exposures and polysensitization to several pollen species are very common in real life practice. However, little information exists on allergic symptoms and airway inflammation related to natural pollen exposure in large general population samples.

Objective: To assess the combined effect of sensitization and/or exposure to one or more pollen species on Fraction of exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) levels. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2021 13;8:791028. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.

Recent studies have suggested that IgE sensitization to α-gal is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the B cell subtype(s) responsible for production of IgE to α-gal and mechanisms mediating this production remain elusive. Single cell multi-omics sequencing, was utilized to phenotype B cells obtained from 60 subjects that had undergone coronary angiography in whom serum IgE was evaluated by ImmunoCAP. Read More

Subst Use Misuse 2022 22;57(3):461-471. Epub 2022 Jan 22.

RAND Corporation, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Compared to heterosexual adults, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have higher rates of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse, yet disparities regarding specific drugs remain poorly characterized. We examined disparities by sexual identity and sex for 8 illicit and prescription drugs using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. Outcomes included past-year use/misuse of cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, heroin, prescription opioids, prescription stimulants, prescription tranquilizers/sedatives, and level of polydrug use/misuse (2 substances; 3+ substances). Read More

Sci Adv 2022 Feb 23;8(8):eabi6110. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40222, USA.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for new treatments. Here we report that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cells and mice. CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD, but not THC or other congeneric cannabinoids tested, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. Read More

J Asthma 2022 Mar 11:1-9. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Institute for Research on Addictive Behavior, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.

Adults with asthma have a higher prevalence of substance use. However, knowledge is scarce regarding the associations between adults with asthma and tobacco use, substance use, and substance misuse. This study aimed to use national samples of United States adults to assess the comprehensive use and misuse of substances in adults with asthma. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 12 31;19(1). Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Institute for Research on Addictive Behavior, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.

Background: Despite the advancements in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, complications related to COPD exacerbation remain challenging. One associated factor is substance use/misuse among adults with COPD. Fewer studies, however, examined the prevalence and association between COPD and substance use and misuse. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 12 26;19(1). Epub 2021 Dec 26.

School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand.

The consequences of alcohol and other drug (AoD) use are well documented. This study investigated factors associated with having family/whānau or close friend who used AoD in harmful ways in New Zealand. Data came from a July-August 2020 cross-sectional survey of students from eight universities ( = 946). Read More

ACS Appl Bio Mater 2021 11 3;4(11):7764-7768. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

University of Marburg, Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Robert-Koch-Strasse 4, 35037 Marburg, Germany.

Solid tumors and metastasis rely on angiogenesis for sufficient supply as they grow, making antiangiogenic treatment a promising option in the combat of cancer. Testing of inhalants on the chorio-allantoic membrane offers a simple but precise method to assess the impact on angiogenesis. The testing method can be used to directly determine the effect of inhaled formulations solely or in the context of photodynamic therapy. Read More

Pneumologe (Berl) 2022 4;19(1):49-59. Epub 2022 Jan 4.

Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin, Thoraxklinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Röntgenstraße 1, 69126 Heidelberg, Deutschland.

The use of inhaled psychotropic substances is widespread in our society. In addition to the wide variety of tobacco-containing smoking products, e‑cigarettes, cannabis, sniffing substances, cocaine and heroin are consumed by inhalation. While the harmful effects of most tobacco-containing smoking products on the lungs have been sufficiently researched, there is still a lack of scientifically sound evidence for many other substances consumed by inhalation. Read More

Cureus 2021 Nov 25;13(11):e19897. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, USA.

The recreational use of inhalants is associated with various detrimental health effects ranging from inebriation to cardiac arrest. It also presents a challenging clinical problem as the diagnosis is made by the presentation and patient's history, which is often difficult to obtain in an intoxicated or obtunded individual. The incidence of inhalant use is relatively high. Read More

Pediatr Allergy Immunol Pulmonol 2021 12;34(4):132-140

Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Inonu University, Medical Faculty, Malatya, Turkey.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic disease that is becoming increasingly common worldwide and has a negative impact on school performance, work performance, and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on the symptoms of AR in children. Serum vitamin D levels of children with AR and age-matched healthy controls were compared using the high-pressure liquid chromatography method. Read More

J Med Econ 2022 Jan-Dec;25(1):38-50

Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Aims: To estimate the cost of antiviral medication guidance and/or support from the perspective of healthcare professionals by administration route (oral or inhalant).

Methods: An online survey (December 2020) was conducted among physicians, pharmacists, and certified care workers. Those aged 20-64 years working in workplaces with experience of prescribing (physicians) or dispensing (pharmacists) antivirals for influenza, or having care service recipients who took antivirals (certified care workers) since October 2018, were selected through screening questions. Read More

Se Pu 2021 Dec;39(12):1355-1361

Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.

Salmeterol xinafoate (SalX) is one of the ideal drugs used for the treatment of nocturnal asthma attacks and daily maintenance. The molecular structure of SalX contains a chiral carbon atom, and thus, SalX has two enantiomers, viz. ()-SalX and ()-SalX. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 11 4;18(21). Epub 2021 Nov 4.

CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain.

This study compares the prevalence of drug use and the typologies of polydrug use (PDU) in men who have sex with men (MSM) and general population men (GPM). Participants were men aged 16-64, living in the provinces of Madrid and Barcelona: 1720 were recruited in a GPM survey, and 2658 were HIV-negative MSM from HIV/STIs diagnosis services. Lifetime and last-year prevalence of drug use and prevalence ratios (PRs) of MSM to GPM for the different drugs were calculated using Poisson regression. Read More