Energy drink use, problem drinking and drinking motives in a diverse sample of Alaskan college students

Background. Recent research has identified the use of caffeinated energy drinks as a common, potentially risky behaviour among college students that is linked to alcohol misuse and consequences. Research also suggests that energy drink consumption is related to other risky behaviours such as tobacco use, marijuana use and risky sexual activity. Objective. This research sought to examine the associations between frequency of energy drink consumption and problematic alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, symptoms of alcohol dependence and drinking motives in an ethnically diverse sample of college students in Alaska. We also sought to examine whether ethnic group moderated these associations in the present sample of White, Alaska Native/American Indian and other ethnic minority college students. Design. A paper-and-pencil self-report questionnaire was completed by a sample of 298 college students. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the effects of energy drink use, ethnic group and energy drink by ethnic group interactions on alcohol outcomes after controlling for variance attributed to gender, age and frequency of binge drinking. Results. Greater energy drink consumption was significantly associated with greater hazardous drinking, alcohol consequences, alcohol dependence symptoms, drinking for enhancement motives and drinking to cope. There were no main effects of ethnic group, and there were no significant energy drink by ethnic group interactions. Conclusion. These findings replicate those of other studies examining the associations between energy drink use and alcohol problems, but contrary to previous research we did not find ethnic minority status to be protective. It is possible that energy drink consumption may serve as a marker for other health risk behaviours among students of various ethnic groups

Vaginally Administered PEGylated LIF Antagonist Blocked Embryo Implantation and Eliminated Non-Target Effects on Bone in Mice

Female-controlled contraception/HIV prevention is critical to address health issues associated with gender inequality. Therefore, a contraceptive which can be administered in tandem with a microbicide to inhibit sexually transmitted infections, is desirable. Uterine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is obligatory for blastocyst implantation in mice and associated with infertility in women. We aimed to determine whether a PEGylated LIF inhibitor (PEGLA) was an effective contraceptive following vaginal delivery and to identify non-uterine targets of PEGLA in mice

Drinking patterns and risk behaviors associated with combined alcohol and energy drink consumption in college drinkers

Objective: In recent years the consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has become popular in young adults in North America. There have been few studies into the drinking patterns and risk behaviors that accompany this new form of alcoholic beverage consumption and more information is required to support harm reduction and prevention efforts. This paper goes beyond previous research by investigating risk behaviors associated with AmED use while (1) controlling for risk-taking propensity, (2) examining a range of outcomes (e.g. stimulant drug use), and (3) replicating previous findings in a Canadian sample. Method: In winter 2009/10, a web-based survey was completed by 465 students (56% female) attending a university in Western Canada. Regression analyses were used to investigate whether consumption of AmED is associated with heavy drinking, stimulant drug use, and alcohol-related consequences. Results: A total of 105 students (23%) reported consuming AmED in the past 30. days. These students were more likely to be heavier drinkers, than non-AmED users after controlling for risk-taking propensity. More frequent AmED drinkers had twice the odds of experiencing one or more negative consequences from AmED use (e.g. drinking and driving, being hurt or injured), compared to less frequent drinkers after controlling for risk-taking propensity and drinking behavior. Conclusions: Students who consume AmED are at increased risk for harms. Therefore, consuming AmED should be considered "high-risk drinking" for university students and efforts should be made to discourage combined consumption

Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine

Objectives: Alcohol is among the most common psychoactive substances to be co-administered with a variety of other drugs. It is frequently used simultaneously (i.e. on the same occasion) with cocaine. The objectives of this qualitative investigation are (1) to explore the functions and motivational factors underlying the simultaneous use of alcohol and cocaine, and (2) to explore the associated consequences. Methods: In-depth open-ended interviews with simultaneous alcohol and cocaine users were conducted at a residential treatment centre in Ontario, Canada (n = 10). The interview transcripts were coded by two independent coders. A thorough content analysis of the transcripts was performed in order to identify themes. Findings: Respondents used cocaine and alcohol simultaneously to control cravings; to alter their state of consciousness; to manage their emotions; to enhance sexual, physical and social functioning; and to minimise financial costs. Negative consequences experienced from simultaneous use include psychological, physical, social and financial harms. These findings have been used to develop potential hypotheses for testing in future studies

New approaches for developing biomarkers of hormonal contraceptive use

To identify biomarkers of hormonal contraceptive (HC) use in urine and saliva, we conducted a pilot study with 30 women initiating levonorgestrel (LNG) containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) (15/group). Based on established COC pharmacokinetics, we collected serum and urine samples before COC ingestion and during Days one and three of use, or before DMPA injection and on Days 21 and 60 post-injection. We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to measure serum/urine LNG and MPA. LNG was undetectable at baseline (specificity 100%); post ingestion, most urine samples had detectable LNG levels (sensitivity: 80% 6 h post Dose one, 93% 6 h post Dose three). We used a DetectX LNG immunoassay kit and showed 100% sensitivity measuring urine LNG. Urine MPA levels were undetectable in 14/15 women at baseline (specificity 91%); post-injection all urine samples had detectable MPA levels (sensitivity: 100% days 21 and 60). Results suggest urine sampling can be used to identify a biomarker of LNG and MPA use. Based on evidence from other steroidal hormonal studies showing changes affecting the transcriptome profile of saliva at 24 h, we used the same (COC, DMPA) timepoints to collect saliva. We performed transcriptome analysis and detected several differentially expressed genes in DMPA users’ saliva on Days 21 and 60 compared to baseline; none among COC users. We plan further research of differential gene expression in saliva as a HC biomarker of DMPA use, and will explore longer periods of COC use and saliva collection times, and application of microRNA sequencing to support using saliva as a COC biomarker

Prolonged effectiveness of Norplant® capsule implants: A 7-year study

10.1016/S0010-7824(00)00095-0Contraception613187-194CCPT