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Forensic Sci Int 2019 Feb 28;298:39-47. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Shanghai, 200063, China. Electronic address:

Knowing the specific pattern of forensic toxicology cases in a region is vital to help the local government establish an effective prevention and treatment system; currently, there have been no published reports investigating various types of forensic toxicology cases based on a large autopsy series and city size. The data in this study were obtained from records kept at the Academy of Forensic Science (AFS) between February 2017 and December 2017, and the cases were mainly from the Public Security Organs People's Police in Shanghai, China. There were 299 autopsies; the leading cause of death was traffic accidents (37. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2019 Feb 26;130(5):655-665. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address:

Objective: The study aim was to determine if use of illicit amphetamines or ecstasy is associated with abnormal excitability of the corticomotoneuronal pathway and manipulation of novel objects with the hand.

Methods: Three groups of adults aged 18-50 years were investigated: individuals with a history of illicit amphetamine use, individuals with a history of ecstasy use but minimal use of other stimulants, and non-drug users. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered to the motor cortex and the electromyographic response (motor evoked potential; MEP) was recorded from a contralateral hand muscle. Read More

Biomicrofluidics 2018 May 1;12(3):034101. Epub 2018 May 1.

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA.

With the device integration of sweat stimulation, sweat becomes a stronger candidate for non-invasive continuous biochemical sensing. However, sweat stimulants are cholinergenic agents and non-selective to just the sweat glands, and so, direct placement of sweat stimulants poses additional challenges in the possibility for uncontrollable transport of the stimulant into the body and challenges in contamination of the sweat sample. Reported here is membrane isolation of repeated-use sweat stimulants for mitigating direct dermal contact, dilution of the sweat stimulant, and contamination of the sweat sample. Read More

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Associate Professor Department of Medicine Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital University of California San Francisco 995 Potrero Ave, 4 Floor San Francisco CA 94110

Background: Engagement in care is critical to achieving and sustaining optimal benefits of efficacious antiretroviral therapies (ART) for HIV infection. Current metrics of engagement in care, including problematic patterns of retention in care, adherence to treatment, and viral suppression, are often detected late in the disengagement process. We sought to develop and validate a patient-centered screener of engagement in care that can be used to identify deficits in patient perceptions of engagement prior to the development of poor outcomes, including loss to follow-up, treatment nonadherence, virologic failure, and the resulting increased likelihood of HIV-associated morbidity and mortality and onward transmission of HIV. Read More

Ann Burns Fire Disasters 2018 Sep;31(3):213-222

Laboratoire d'Ingénierie Cellulaire, Hôpital de la Paix, Bahsas, Liban.

The goal of this study is to evaluate an alternative to tissue grafts and cutaneous substitutes. Five hundred and seventeen burn patients were treated between February 2012 and June 2016: 381 of them benefited from cell therapy. 1 to 4 cm2 of autologous healthy total skin graft was dissected into epidermis, dermis and hypodermis, and then separately transformed into three cell-rich suspensions: some of these suspensions were eclectically chosen and associated first with platelet-rich plasma and thereafter with cryoprecipitate of plasma. Read More

Nord J Psychiatry 2019 Mar 12:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

d Department of Psychiatry , Västervik Sjukhus , Västervik , Sweden.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common comorbidities of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. The clinical response to methylphenidate may be monitored against DSM-5 symptomatology, rating scales or interviews. Read More

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2019 Feb 28;65(2):63-68. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Adıyaman University, Adıyaman, Turkey.

Caffeine is one of the most extensively consumed stimulants in the world and has been suggested to induce wakefulness by antagonizing the function of the adenosine A2A receptor. Therefore, we investigated the effects of chronic caffeine consumption on learning and memory in the REM sleep-deprived rats.Male Wistar rats (n = 50), were randomly assigned into 5 groups: Control (C), Caffeine (Cf), Pedestal Control (PC), Sleep Deprivation (SD), Sleep Deprivation and Caffeine (SD + Cf). Read More

Neurol India 2019 Jan-Feb;67(1):336-338

Department of Neurosurgery, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

CNS Spectr 2019 Feb;24(1):181-182

Psychiatry Department,Ramon y Cajal University Hospital,Madrid,Spain.

Objective: Dopaminergic mechanisms are involved in addiction but few effective drugs have been developed to treat it. Recent research has highlighted dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists, like aripiprazole, as a potential treatment for different types of substance dependence. In this study we investigate the use of both oral or long-acting injectable (LAI) aripiprazole in the treatment of dual disorders, specifically focusing on patients with psychotic disorder and comorbid substance use disorder. Read More

CNS Spectr 2019 Feb;24(1):178

4Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology,SUNY Upstate Medical University,Syracuse,NY,USA.

Study ObjectiveDespite increased nonmedical use of ADHD prescription stimulants, there are limited data to inform selection of intranasal doses for abuse-potential evaluations. This study determined a dose of amphetamine sulfate that is tolerable and distinguishable from placebo on pharmacodynamic (PD) measures.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study, healthy, nondependent, recreational stimulant users received a single intranasal dose of amphetamine sulfate (20, 30, or 40mg ; n=6 per group) or placebo (n=2 per group). Read More

CNS Spectr 2019 Feb;24(1):177-178

1Supernus Pharmaceuticals,Inc.,Rockville,MD.

Study ObjectivesAlthough stimulants are commonly used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 10-30% of patients have an inadequate response, adverse events, or comorbidities preventing use. Thus, there is a need for safe, effective nonstimulant options. Extended-release viloxazine (SPN-812), a nonstimulant, is currently in development for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Read More

Drug Alcohol Depend 2019 Mar 6;198:1-6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

British Columbia Centre for Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.

Objectives: Drug checking technologies (DCTs) have been implemented as a response to the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic. We examined the level of trust people who use drugs (PWUD) have in their drug dealers as well as their perspectives on the potential for drug dealers to use DCTs to provide knowledge of drug contents to their customers.

Methods: We conducted one-to-one qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 PWUD in Vancouver, Canada's Downtown Eastside. Read More

Cell Chem Biol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan. Electronic address:

Cysteine persulfide and cysteine polysulfides are cysteine derivatives having sulfane sulfur atoms bound to cysteine thiol. Accumulating evidence has suggested that cysteine persulfides/polysulfides are abundant in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and play important roles in diverse biological processes such as antioxidant host defense and redox-dependent signal transduction. Here, we show that enhancement of cellular polysulfides by using polysulfide donors developed in this study resulted in marked inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-initiated macrophage activation. Read More

Am J Psychiatry 2019 Jan;176(1):78

Institute for Behavior and Health, Rockville, Md. (DuPont); Center on Young Adult Health and Development, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park (Arria).

Am J Psychiatry 2019 Jan;176(1):77

Private practice and Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco.

Am J Psychiatry 2019 Jan;176(1):77-78

National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Md. (Compton, Blanco); Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Md. (Han, Jones).

Obes Facts 2019 7;12(1):91-102. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.

Background: A limited number of published case reports suggest a positive effect of dextroamphetamine, an adrenergic agonist affecting both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system, on physical activity and weight in patients with hypothalamic obesity (intractable obesity following CNS insult). Here, we present our clinical experience with dextroamphetamine treatment for hypothalamic obesity.

Methods: The clinical course of all patients started on dextroamphetamine treatment for severe hypothalamic obesity at our institution between 2010 and 2013 is reported. Read More

J Appl Microbiol 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants, Krakow, Poland.

Sustainability and a more environment-friendly approach is an emerging issue relevant to crop production. Abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, heat, cold or heavy metal pollution can severely compromise yields, and in this respect, plant protection practices should be highly efficient as well as safe for the environment and people. Among the many ways to achieve high productivity of healthy, safe and tasty food, the use of beneficial microorganisms as biostimulants is one of the most promising. Read More

J Psychopharmacol 2019 Mar 7:269881119832538. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

1 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Background:: Stimulants remain the mainstay of treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but are often associated with insufficient response or poor tolerability, leading to many patients not wishing to be treated with controlled substances.

Aims:: This randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study (NCT02327013) evaluated the efficacy of a multimodal antidepressant, vortioxetine, in the treatment of ADHD, using a two-stage sequential parallel comparison design.

Methods:: Patients aged 18-55 years with a diagnosis of ADHD (DSM-5) and a total score ⩾24 on the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) were randomized in study stage I with a 1:1:3 ratio to six weeks of treatment with vortioxetine 10 or 20 mg/day, or placebo ( n = 227). Read More

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Division of Adolescent Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: Worldwide, young transgender women (YTW) contend with exceptionally high-risks for HIV infection. Cross-sectional studies have suggested that co-occurring epidemics or "syndemics" of psychosocial problems may accelerate HIV acquisition and transmission via elevated sexual risk behavior among transgender women. We aimed to examine how a syndemic of seven psychosocial problems potentiates HIV sexual risk behavior among a multicity, longitudinal cohort of sexually active YTW in the United States. Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2019 Mar;109(3):509-516

Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia.

Background: Coffee is one of the most widely consumed stimulants worldwide and is generally considered to be safe or even beneficial for health. However, increased risk of myocardial infarction and hypertension has been suggested for individuals who carry a functional variant at cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), which makes them less effective at metabolizing caffeine.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine if the CYP1A2 genotype or a genetic score for caffeine metabolism (caffeine-GS) modifies the association between habitual coffee consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Mar 2. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address:

Narcolepsy is a life-long neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy. At present, Sodium oxybate, modafinil, methylphenidate and other stimulants are recommended first-line therapies for narcolepsy but are difficult to obtain in China. One hundred forty-eight patients with narcolepsy were treated with antidepressants and administered the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) before and after treatment from August 2012 to August 2017. Read More

J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2019 Mar;25(3):392-401

1 HealthCore, Wilmington, Delaware.

Background: The misuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem. Although controlled substance (CS) prescribing, in particular, opioid analgesics, has recently declined, the volume of prescriptions in 2015 was still 3 times higher than in 1999. To curb the high volume of CS prescribing, a national health plan has implemented a controlled substance utilization management (CSUM) program, a prescriber-focused educational intervention regarding patients at risk for CS misuse. Read More

Spec Care Dentist 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, California.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of saliva substitutes and stimulants compared to placebo in improving findings of dry mouth not caused by Sjӧgren's.

Methods And Results: Four databases were searched (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) through March 2018. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) using placebo interventions with dry mouth patients were included. Read More

Subst Abus 2019 Feb 27:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

a Department of Psychiatry , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , Arkansas , USA.

Background: Persons using substances, living in rural communities, tend to underutilize mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment compared with their urban peers. However, no studies have examined longitudinal predictors of MH and SUD treatment use among rural persons using stimulants.

Methods: Data were collected through interviews conducted between 2002 and 2008 from a natural history study of 710 adults using stimulants and living in rural counties of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ohio. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 5;10:153. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.

Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool that enables a deep understanding of complicated physiological pathways, including immune responses. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq)-based transcriptome analysis and various bioinformatics tools have also been used to study non-model animals, including aquaculture species for which reference genomes are not available. Rapid developments in these techniques have not only accelerated investigations into the process of pathogenic infection and defense strategies in fish, but also used to identify immunity-related genes in fish. Read More

Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 50 Holden Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02908, USA. Electronic address:

Globally, cocaine use increased by 7%-18.2 million people in 2016 or 0.4% of the world population aged 15-64. Read More

Eur Psychiatry 2019 Feb 22;58:38-44. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Department for Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 code CC72, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Background: ADHD is a highly prevalent disease in childhood which often persists into adulthood, then co-occurring with common adult conditions. Especially for adult ADHD, little is known about the costs of ADHD and the additional costs of comorbid conditions.

Aims: To determine medical costs of ADHD and costs of comorbidities (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders, obesity), including their co-occurrence rates, stratified by age and gender. Read More

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Centre for Advance Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89c, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.

Rationale: 1,3-Dimethylamylamine, 1,4-dimethylamylamine and 2-aminoheptane are isomeric heptylamines commonly used as stimulants. The fragmentations of their [M+H] ions (m/z 116) are almost identical and consists in the formation of fragment ion C H at m/z 57. It is interesting to check if electrospray (ESI) mass spectra of these three amines enable their differentiation. Read More

J Psychoactive Drugs 2019 Feb 23:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

h Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS) , Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) , Tehran , Iran.

Globally, alcohol use is one of the leading contributors to the burden of disease. The aim of this study was to provide data on prevalence and correlates of lifetime alcohol use among Iranian adults living in urban areas. This cross-sectional study investigated knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Iranian adults towards drug and alcohol use. Read More

Child Abuse Negl 2019 Apr 22;90:174-184. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Swinburne University of Technology, Australia.

Background And Objectives: There are well established links between child sex abuse (CSA) and a range of mental health adversities in the literature. However, there has been very limited examination of mental health care needs of CSA survivors, indicated by contacts with mental health professionals. Similarly, no existing research has examined rates of prescription of psychopharmacology to CSA survivors. Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2019 Feb 21;97:13-23. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Kallman Preclinical Consulting, CEO, VP, 1569 E. 300 North, Greenfield, IN 46140, United States.

The selection of a controlled substance (CS) for use as the positive control article in a nonclinical drug abuse liability (DAL) assessment study should be contemplated carefully and with full understanding of the stated intent of the study design. Any CS that can maintain day-to-day stable baseline responding of voluntary intravenous intakes in animals may be selected under the current guidelines. Schedule I - IV CNS stimulants, depressants, and sedative/hypnotics can serve as maintenance drugs in these protocols, but not all of these compounds will provide comparatively efficient, robust, and stable daily intakes. Read More

Haematologica 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA

Platelets play a key role in formation of hemostatic clots and obstructive thrombi as well as in other biological processes. In response to physiological stimulants, including thrombin, platelets change their morphology, express adhesive molecules, undergo aggregation, and secrete bioactive substances, but their subsequent fate is largely unknown. Here we examine late-stage structural, metabolic, and functional consequences of thrombin-induced platelet activation. Read More

Addict Biol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

The application of behavioral economic demand theory in addiction science has proved useful for evaluating individual characteristics underlying abuse liability. Two factors that have received comparably little attention within this literature are sex and gonadal hormones. We determined cocaine and remifentanil demand in male and female rats using a within-session procedure. Read More

J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2019 Feb 18;16(1). Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Sports Training, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.

Background: The ability to generate high levels of power is one of the key factors determining success in many sport disciplines. Although there are studies confirming ergogenic effects of caffeine (CAF) on different physical and mental abilities, much controversy remains about its influence on power. The main goal of this study was to assess the effects of caffeine supplementation on time under tension (TUT) and the number of performed repetitions (REP). Read More

Medicina (B Aires) 2019 ;79 Suppl 1:68-71

Laboratorio de Neurociencias (IUNICS), Son Ferriol, Islas Baleares, España. E-mail:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder, of a chronic nature, of multifactorial etiology, mainly due to genetic and environmental factors. We conducted a retrospective analytical study of the t herapeutic management of children diagnosed with ADHD. A sample of 82 children diagnosed with ADHD (74. Read More

Heliyon 2019 Jan 30;5(1):e01168. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Plant Pathology Department, Agricultural and Biological Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.

The effect of soil-applied crop products on the viability and the incidence of white rot in subsequent onion and garlic crops were evaluated in this work. The tested products were onion powder, garlic powder, onion oil, garlic oil and waste (onion and garlic) that are described as sclerotial germination stimulants. Under conditions, data revealed that more than 80% of the sclerotia died in the soil treated with sclerotial germination stimulants. Read More

Int J Drug Policy 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.

Background: Nonmedical prescription psychiatric drug use (NMPDU) is an increasing global health problem, with recent concern focusing on darknet cryptomarkets as sources of procurement. There is a shortage of evidence regarding comparative worldwide NMPDU trends, due in part to data collection difficulties. This problem is particularly marked for non-opioid drugs, particularly those psychiatric drugs which act on the central nervous system (CNS) and have high misuse potential and are associated with high levels of dependency and fatal overdose. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2019 May 13;149:113-123. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Neurobiology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Laboratory of Neurobiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Russia. Electronic address:

Background: Recent discovery of mechanosensitive Piezo receptors in trigeminal ganglia suggested the novel molecular candidate for generation of migraine pain. However, the contribution of Piezo channels in migraine pathology was not tested yet. Therefore, in this study, we explored a potential involvement of Piezo channels in peripheral trigeminal nociception implicated in generation of migraine pain. Read More

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018 Oct 30. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Objective: Adolescent controlled prescription drug misuse (PDM) co-occurs with significant consequences, including lower educational achievement, substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms, and psychopathology. Nonetheless, adolescent PDM sources and the prevalence of other substance use, SUD and mental health outcomes associated with sources remain poorly understood.

Method: Data were from the 2009-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, including 103,920 adolescents (12-17 years). Read More

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

Objective: Trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), a minimal risk, non-invasive neuromodulation method, has showed potential benefits for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an unblinded open study. This blinded sham-controlled trial was conducted to assess efficacy and safety of TNS for ADHD, as well as potential changes in brain spectral power using resting-state quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).

Method: 62 children aged 8-12 years, with full-scale IQ ≥ 85 and KSADS-diagnosed ADHD, were randomized to four weeks nightly treatment with active or sham TNS, followed by one-week without intervention. Read More

BMJ Evid Based Med 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Clinical and Experimental medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.

Early recognition, identification and treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can reduce detrimental outcomes and redirect their developmental trajectory. We aimed to describe variations in age of ADHD diagnosis and stimulant prescribing among general practitioner practices in a nationwide network and identify child, parental, household and general practice factors that might account for these variations. Cross-sectional study of children aged under 19 years registered within a general practice in the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) network in 2016, RCGP RSC has a household key allowing parent and child details to be linked. Read More

Prev Med 2019 Apr 11;121:94-98. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, NYU College of Global Public Health, 665 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10012, United States of America; New York University Langone Medical Center, Department of Population Health, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States of America.

Adults ≥50 years of age have high rates of prescription opioid use. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlates of prescription opioid misuse among middle-aged and older adults in the United States who use prescription opioids. Data from adults age ≥ 50 from the two most recent cohorts (2015 and 2016) of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health were examined (N = 17,608). Read More

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 Feb 15;68(6):144-148. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC.

During 2013-2017, the national annual rate of reported primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases in the United States increased 72.7%, from 5.5 to 9. Read More

ACS Chem Neurosci 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Chemistry , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221 , United States.

In this manuscript, we describe the development and application of electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors directly interfaced with astrocytes in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture to monitor stimulated release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The aptamer-based sensor couples specific detection of ATP, selective performance directly in cell culture media, and seconds time resolution using squarewave voltammetry for quantitative ATP-release measurements. More specifically, we demonstrate the ability to quantitatively monitor ATP release into the extracellular environment after stimulation by the addition of calcium (Ca), ionomycin, and glutamate. Read More

JAMA Intern Med 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

Importance: Most drug epidemics in the United States have disproportionately affected nonwhite communities. Notably, the current opioid epidemic is heavily concentrated among low-income white communities, and the roots of this racial/ethnic phenomenon have not been adequately explained.

Objective: To examine the degree to which differential exposure to opioids via the health care system by race/ethnicity and income could be driving the observed social gradient of the current opioid epidemic, as well as to compare the trends in the prevalence of prescription opioids with those observed for stimulants and benzodiazepines. Read More

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

1 Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence. About 30% of patients do not respond to stimulants or cannot tolerate their side effects. Thus, alternative medication, like herbal medicine, should be considered. Read More