Punishment sensitivity and tension reduction: Exploring the potential influence of genetics on South Korean alcohol consumption

Abstract: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2*2 (ALDH2*2) is a genetically mutated enzyme that affects the liver's ability to break down acetaldehyde, resulting in immediate negative physical effects following alcohol consumption. This usually leads to reduced lifetime alcohol dependence rates among those with ALDH2*2. Paradoxically, while around 30% of South Koreans have ALDH2*2, they still maintain both high levels of alcohol consumption and dependence. Therefore, how the negative reactions to alcohol experienced by those with ALDH2*2 interact with the expected effects of alcohol and sensitivity to punishment is of interest. Four hundred and sixty South Korean university students were tested for the ALDH2 gene type and completed alcohol expectancy and sensitivity to reward/punishment measures. The results indicated that there are different predictors of alcohol consumption depending on gene type, with ALDH2*2 heavy drinkers exhibiting lower levels of SP and higher levels of tension reduction expectancy. These findings suggest that ALDH2*2 plays a central role in differences in motivation for alcohol consumption among South Koreans

Supporting Disaster Resilience Spatial Thinking with Serious GeoGames: Project Lily Pad

The need for improvement of societal disaster resilience and response efforts was evident after the destruction caused by the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. We present a novel conceptual framework for improving disaster resilience through the combination of serious games, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial thinking, and disaster resilience. Our framework is implemented via Project Lily Pad, a serious geogame based on our conceptual framework, serious game case studies, interviews and real-life experiences from 2017 Hurricane Harvey survivors in Dickinson, TX, and an immersive hurricane-induced flooding scenario. The game teaches a four-fold set of skills relevant to spatial thinking and disaster resilience, including reading a map, navigating an environment, coding verbal instructions, and determining best practices in a disaster situation. Results of evaluation of the four skills via Project Lily Pad through a “think aloud” study conducted by both emergency management novices and professionals revealed that the game encouraged players to think spatially, can help build awareness for disaster response scenarios, and has potential for real-life use by emergency management professionals. It can be concluded from our results that the combination of serious games, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial thinking, and disaster resilience, as implemented via Project Lily Pad and our evaluation results, demonstrated the wide range of possibilities for using serious geogames to improve disaster resilience spatial thinking and potentially save lives when disasters occur

Use of a liquid nicotine delivery product to promote smoking cessation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite access to various pharmacotherapies and counseling support to aid cessation, smokers typically demonstrate quit rates below 50%. This report describes the results of a Phase 2a study exploring the efficacy of a liquid nicotine delivery system as an aid to smoking cessation assessed after 12 weeks of therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A single-arm Phase 2a study was conducted. Community-based smokers (ages 18+ years, smoking at least 10 cigarettes daily for the past year and interested in making a quit attempt) were recruited and completed clinic visits at 2 week intervals over the 12 week study period where carbon monoxide levels were assessed and the Smoke-Break product was rated on taste and overall satisfaction. Participants were provided with a supply of liquid nicotine cigarettes (e.g., Smoke-Break) at each clinic visit. A total of 69 smokers were enrolled and received the intervention product (intention to treat group, ITT) and 52 smokers verified participation (according to protocol group, ATP).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cessation rate at 12 weeks after the baseline visit, assessed as the bioverified point prevalence of abstinence, was 71.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 58.8%-83.5%) in the ATP group and 53.6% (41.8%-65.4%) in the ITT group. Participants rated the liquid nicotine delivery system highly and also expressed general satisfaction. Few adverse events were identified with no serious adverse events.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results support the efficacy of the liquid nicotine delivery system in smoking cessation. If this nicotine delivery product proves to be effective in larger trials, it could represent an inexpensive, readily accessible and well-tolerated agent to promote smoking cessation.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as study NCT00715871.</p

The Grizzly, March 4, 2010

Ursinus Theater presents The Crucible • Political Cartoonist, Author Discusses New Book • CoSA Application, Logo Submission Deadlines Extended • Interest in Bioethics in Medicine Rises at UC • American Heart Month • Ursinus Looks Into The Buried Life • Neshoba Highlights Civil Rights Corruption in Honor of Black History Month • Chat Roulette Gambles with the Issues of Social Networking • Ursinus Lacrosse Looks to Outwork Opposition • Indoor Track & Field Championshiphttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1808/thumbnail.jp

Specific Features of After-School Program Quality: Associations with Children’s Functioning in Middle Childhood

This longitudinal study examined associations between three after-school program quality features (positive staff–child relations, available activities, programming flexibility) and child developmental outcomes (reading and math grades, work habits, and social skills with peers) in Grade 2 and then Grade 3. Participants (n = 120 in Grade 2, n = 91 in Grade 3) attended after-school programs more than 4 days per week, on average. Controlling for child and family background factors and children’s prior functioning on the developmental outcomes, positive staff–child relations in the programs were positively associated with children’s reading grades in both Grades 2 and 3, and math grades in Grade 2. Positive staff–child relations also were positively associated with social skills in Grade 2, for boys only. The availability of a diverse array of age-appropriate activities at the programs was positively associated with children’s math grades and classroom work habits in Grade 3. Programming flexibility (child choice of activities) was not associated with child outcomes

The barriers and facilitators to young people's engagement with bidirectional digital sexual health interventions: A mixed methods systematic review

Background: Sexual health is fundamental to the overall health and wellbeing of individuals and to the social and economic development of communities and countries. However, internationally young people endure a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies which can be associated with poor psycho-social outcomes. Digital sexual health interventions have been developed to increase young people’s access to sexual health services, but are currently underutilised. Aim: This systematic review sought to identify the barriers and facilitators to young people’s engagement with bidirectional digital sexual health interventions, which are standalone two-way tailored interventions between a young person and healthcare professional. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews, following a convergent integrated approach to synthesis and integration of qualitative and quantitative evidence. Searches of ten electronic databases were conducted, spanning database inception to January 2022. No restrictions were imposed on language, geographical location or community setting. All included studies were critically appraised with JBI Critical Appraisal tools. Data extraction was performed using standardised tools, followed by data transformation. Data synthesis followed the convergent integrated approach. Each stage was conducted by two independent reviewers. Results: Eight thousand four hundred thirty-nine titles and abstracts and, subsequently, 255 full-texts underwent review. Nine studies were selected for inclusion with no studies added following forward and backward citation tracking. The included studies comprised three qualitative and six quantitative designs. Three meta synthesised findings were identified: (1) The design of a digital intervention for adolescent sexual health needs to reflect the end users’ specific needs (2) Young people need to feel comfortable when using a digital sexual health intervention (3) Potential barriers to engagement need to be addressed. The review identified that although barriers and facilitators to promoting young people’s engagement with bidirectional digital sexual health interventions are nuanced, young people’s privacy and security need to be prioritised for them to engage with digital interventions, regardless of the platform of choice. Conclusions: Co-production of digital sexual health services, in partnership with young people, has shaped many of the insights reported in this systematic review. Further international research which places an emphasis on young people’s perspectives is vital to unleash the full potential of digital technology in this domain

Optimal Dose of Spinal Bupivacaine on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Parturients Undergoing Combined Technique for Labor Analgesia: A Randomized Double Blinded Prospective Study

Study Objectives: Maternal hypotension and fetal bradycardia (FB) are recognized complications of combined spinal epidural. Our purpose was to ascertain which of 3 common doses of spinal bupivacaine results in optimal analgesia with minimal side effects, assuming the lowest dose fills all criteria. Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Setting: Labor and Delivery Unit of 514-bed urban teaching hospital. Patients, Interventions and Measurements: Patients were assigned to receive an intrathecal dose of 20 mcg of fentanyl with either 2.5 mg, 1.66 mg, or 1.25 mg of isobaric bupivacaine. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain Score, fetal heart rate (FHR), maternal blood pressure (BP), number of hypotensive episodes, doses of vasopressors, nitroglycerin and mode of delivery were recorded at various time points. Main results: 164 patients were enrolled: 66 receiving 1.25 mg, 50 in the 1.66 mg group and 48 in the 2.5 mg. At 6 and 10 minutes, we recorded in the 1.66 mg group: 4.7% and 4.6%, 18.9% and 23.9% fewer hypotensive episodes compared with the 1.25 mg and the 2.5 mg groups respectively and significantly more hypotensive episodes in the 2.5 mg group (p = 0.025 and 0.019 respectively). There was no statistical difference in vasopressors use, mode of delivery or FB. The VAS decreased equally by an average of 7–10 points among all groups. Conclusion: The 1.66 mg spinal dose was associated with the least hypotensive episodes and equivalent pain relief as the 2.5 mg. The 1.25 mg and 1.66 mg doses allowed for adequate BP and FHR stability. Clinical Trial: Study registered on the ClinicalTrial.gov website under the NCT number NCT02159807

The Impact of Different Types of Assistive Devices on Gait Measures and Safety in Huntington's Disease

BACKGROUND: Gait and balance impairments lead to frequent falls and injuries in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD). Assistive devices (ADs) such as canes and walkers are often prescribed to prevent falls, but their efficacy is unknown. We systematically examined the effects of different types of ADs on quantitative gait measures during walking in a straight path and around obstacles. METHODS: Spatial and temporal gait parameters were measured in 21 subjects with HD as they walked across a GAITRite walkway under 7 conditions (i.e., using no AD and 6 commonly prescribed ADs: a cane, a weighted cane, a standard walker, and a 2, 3 or 4 wheeled walker). Subjects also were timed and observed for number of stumbles and falls while walking around two obstacles in a figure-of-eight pattern. RESULTS: Gait measure variability (i.e., coefficient of variation), an indicator of fall risk, was consistently better when using the 4WW compared to other ADs. Subjects also walked the fastest and had the fewest number of stumbles and falls when using the 4WW in the figure-of-eight course. Subjects walked significantly slower using ADs compared to no AD both across the GAITRite and in the figure-of-eight. Measures reflecting gait stability and safety improved with the 4WW but were made worse by some other ADs