Medical students' attitudes towards the addictions

Background: The need for medical students to engage with patients with addictive problems is projected to increase in coming years. There will also be a concomitant greater emphasis on community-based learning. The present study assessed the impact of a community based teaching initiative, the Student Selected Component (SSC) Lay and Professional Perspectives on the Addictions, on students' attitudes to these groups. Summary of Work: The SSC is assessed by a final student report which includes a self-reflective section. The free text data from this section of 28 qualitative reports over 7 years was analysed using content analysis. Summary of Results: Students were clear they believed the experience of the SSC had increased their understanding of both the psychological and social complexity related to the addictions and the role of medicine within this. Conclusions: We discovered that the SSC Lay and Professional Perspectives on the Addictions not only gave students first-hand experience of those suffering from and treating addictive problems, but also had a positive effect on their attitude towards this group

A Ranking Test in the Biological Sciences

Laboratory analyses of biological materials are ranked in order of magnitude and summed across materials to give a list of laboratory scores. Under the assumed hypothesis that there is in fact no difference between laboratories, Monte-Carlo techniques are used to establish two-tailed 5% rejection limits for various combinations of laboratories and materials. The hypothesis that there is no difference between laboratories is rejected if any laboratory\u27s score lies outside the 5% limits. Suppose that one needs to run a group of tests on a particular set of materials (chemical or biological), using a number of different laboratories, and wishes to insure before starting that the laboratories are reliable, i.e., that (a) they run the test according to required specifications or directions and (b) if they run the same test twice, they will get, within some tolerated instrument variation, the same results. I shall develop a statistical test here based on the ranked laboratory results which does not assume that the data have any particular distribution. The basis for this work was done by Dr. W. J. Youden of the National Bureau of Standards (1963), but his work is done primarily with a view to industrial applications. I have endeavored here to simplify the statistical procedures and to stress biological applications by way of examples

The Effect of Religion and Religiosity on Drug Use Among a Selected Sample of Post Secondary Students in Scotland

DOI/link to publishers version not available.Other research PUBLICATIONS and PAPERS on university students drinking, drug use and health concerns and behaviors can be found at: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17130/browse?type=title; https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17127/browse?type=title and https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17124/browse?type=title. Further information about the questionnaire, calculations, and the original data base used can be found in the following item records within IUScholarworks repository. Details about the reliability and validity of the SAQ are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17337; http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17154; http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17181. The classic 1975 copy of the SAQ is found at http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17153. The Health Concern Questionnaire is found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17250. Reliability and validity of this instrument are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17251. ALL QUESTIONNAIRES developed by Engs are found in the repository at: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17141/browse?type=dateissuedSome studies suggest that religious variables are associated with substance use and abuse however, they tend to be compartmentalized into alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. Few have examined both licit and illicit drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of licit and illicit recreational drug use among postsecondary students in terms of religious background and religiosity. Method: the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Study Questionnaire was completed by students attending courses in "helping profession" departments such as medicine, nursing, education, and psychology from 22 departments at universities and colleges in five Scottish cities. The sample consisted of 3117 females and 949 males

RELIGION AND RELIGIOSITY: ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION AMONG SCOTTISH POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS

Other research papers on nursing, medical and other college students can be found at:: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17130/browse?type=title; https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17127/browse?type=title and https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17124/browse?type=title. Further information about the questionnaire (http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17337) calculations used for the study, and the original data base can be found in the following item records within IUScholarworks repository. Details about the reliability and validity of the questionnaire are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17154; http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17181. The classic SAQ is found at http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17153. ALL QUESTIONNAIRES developed by Engs are found in the repository at: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17141/browse?type=dateissuedThe PURPOSE of this study was to determine if religious preference and importance of religion had an effect on recreational drug use. METHODS: The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol tobacco an marijuana use of helping profession students in Scotland. RESULTS: Roman Catholic's and those with no religious preferences consumed significantly higher mean units of alcoholic beverages compared to the other groups. In addition a higher percent of Roman Catholics consumed over 28 drinks per week. Students to whom religion was not important consumed significantly more units compared to those to whom religion was important. In regards to smoking, a significantly higher proportion of student who identified their religious preference as the Church of Scotland were non-smokers compared to the other groups. Those to whom religion was important consumed almost half the number of cigarettes per week compare to those to whom religion was not important. Those students who gave their religious preference as Church of Scotland were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana compared to other groups. Students who considered religion important were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana. it was CONCLUDED that religious adherence prevents at risk drInking, smoking and marihuana use among this sample of students

The Lay Health Beliefs of Glaswegian Men

This thesis presents a qualitative interview study of lay health beliefs. It reports the analysis, by means of grounded theory and analytic induction of interviews with 70 Glaswegian men in mid-life. Although it is a general study of lay health beliefs, particular attention is paid to attitudes towards smoking and drinking, as tobacco and alcohol related disease feature prominently in the health statistics of the city. Issues of class and religion are also considered at length as these factors are strong elements in the cultural background of Glaswegians. The early chapters detail the reasons for the choice of grounded theory and analytic induction as the most appropriate means of analysis, and give a detailed review of the relevant research literature. The findings from the literature are shown to be fragmented but various important issues are identified in lay thinking, in particular the dichotomy of control and release in people's ideas about health. The main findings of the thesis are presented in parts two and three. Part two outlines the central features of lay health beliefs in the three areas of general health, ideas about tobacco use, and ideas about alcohol. The central ideas of control and release also found expression in my respondents' accounts, and these issues are analysed in terms of their thinking about stress and the nature of relaxation. A great deal of ambivalence was discovered in their ideas about the use of tobacco and alcohol for these purposes. The similarities between lay and professional models of health are highlighted and discussed. Part three takes the analysis of the dichotomy further by considering the overarching themes of work, marital status, and moral and religious issues. It is shown that although class and religion are important influences on health beliefs they can only be fully understood if analysed in their components, in the case of class by an analysis of occupation and general elements of lifestyle including marital status, and for religion in the wider sense of general moral concerns with regard to health. As the conclusion points out, the method of analysis allowed for a more important issue to emerge from the interview data: this was the centrality of the dichotomy of control and release in the overall structure of the lay health beliefs of male Glaswegians. Although such a dichotomy has been presented in other work, the current thesis demonstrates the difficulty Glasgwegian men had in balancing both sides of the dichotomy and thus in maximising their chances of good health. These problems are traced to the heart of Scottish culture and society

Membrane permeability of Bovine Ooctyes to Propylene Glycol and the application to the improvement of Cryopreservation

Abstract only availableIn this study, the goal was to determine the permeability parameters of bovine oocytes for water (Lp) and Propylene Glycol (PPG) at temperatures of 30, 20, 10, and 5°C. By determining permeability parameters, we can model cell volume changes during addition and removal of cryoprotectants to determine a method that will prevent osmotic damage to the cells. Individual oocytes were held stationary by a holding pipette in a Petri dish on a Nikon inverted microscope. The oocytes were initially equilibrated in propylene glycol (PG) and 0.1M Sucrose for 20 minutes and then a solution of TL-Hepes with 0.1M Sucrose was added to a drop of 1.5M PG containing the oocyte. The specific initial concentration of PG and volumes of added solutions were modified for each temperature. Then digital images were captured on a regular time scale using a Spot RT Cooled CCD Digital camera in order to record shrinking and swelling. Morphometrical analysis was then performed on each image using Adobe Photoshop to measure the radius of each oocyte at the various time points during the volume excursions. Using Microsoft Excel, we were able to fit the experimental data to a best fit curve of a theoretical model for volume change, which allowed the determination of the values of Lp and PPG. These values were used to model the cell volume changes using MLAB (Civilized Software, Inc., Bethesda, MD) to developing optimized addition and removal procedures for 3.0M CPA that would minimize potential damage of the oocyte due to shrinking and swelling, and toxicity effects of the CPA due to excessive exposure. Currently, our results for the mean values of the permeability parameters Lp and PPG at 20°C are 0.3 ± 0.03 µm-min.atm and 15 ± 7.2 µm/min, respectively (mean ± SD, n=2). Further data acquisition and analysis is in progress.NSF-REU Program in Biosystems Modeling and Analysi

Bovine oocyte permeability in 1, 2-propanediol

Abstract only availableCryopreservation of oocytes is of great importance both in medical research and in the agricultural industry. Cryopreservation of oocytes allows for future breeding of selected genetic lines of animals. Effective cryopreservation of bovine oocytes has drawn considerable attention due to its application in the agricultural industry. The reproductive cells of genetic lines of cattle can now be cryopreserved and used in the future to breed superior cattle through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Currently, the preservation of bovine oocytes and other cells has had marginal success due to damage sustained to the cell during freezing and thawing due to volume fluctuations (Mazur et al; Experimental Cell Research 71(1972) 345-355). The Kedem and Katchalsky model (Biochem Biophys Acta, 1958, 27:229-246) can be utilized to model changes in cellular volume during freezing and thawing in cryoprotectant solutions. This model takes into account the specific plasma membrane permeability of the cell that is exposed to a particular solution. The purpose of this study was to determine the hydraulic conductivity, Lp, and the permeability coefficient for the cryoprotective agent, 1, 2-propandiol (PrOH), PCPA, for bovine oocytes. The activation energies of each of these parameters can be determined under the assumption that the plasma membrane permeability parameters follow an Arrhenius relationship. Experimental trials were conducted at temperatures of 30°C, 20°C, 10°C, and 4°C. In order to study the response of a single bovine oocyte to 1.5 M 1, 2-propanediol, a micro-pipette holding device (Gao et al.; Biophysics J, 71:443-450) was used to immobilize the oocyte in a small drop of TL-Hepes media. The oocyte was then abruptly exposed to 1.5 M PrOH media. The volume change of the oocyte (dv/dt) was recorded with a digital camera that was mounted to an inverted light microscope. The area of the cell in each image was calculated with a Fovea Pro Software plug-in to Adobe Photoshop. The volume of the cell was calculated from the calculated area, assuming that the cell was spherical. The constants, Lp and PCPA, were numerically approximated assuming that the cellular volume dynamics followed the Kedem and Katchalsky model. It was found that the oocytes underwent osmotically driven volume changes upon exposure to the cryoprotectant, 1, 2-propanediol. The bovine oocytes contracted more rapidly at higher temperatures. The oocytes also regained their isosmotic volume faster at higher temperatures. The permeability parameters found in this study along with there activation energies will be used in the future to develop an optimal cryopreservation protocol for bovine oocytes through computer-based modeling.NSF-REU Biosystems Modelin

Determinism v. Free Will & Genetic Evidence of Addiction in Plea Bargaining and Sentence Mitigation: Conversion of Incarceration to Probation and Rehabilitation Based on Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Test

In this Article, Dr. Kenneth Blum and his team present the case of a presently abstinent, thirty-five year old alcoholic (“AG”) who has several convictions for DWI. AG has undergone and continues to be engaged in out-patient substance abuse treatment. He entered treatment before adjudication and was mandated by the court to continue treatment to assist in maintaining sobriety. Treatment included the administration of the Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (“GARS”) Test. AG was facing a probable five-year sentence for his fifth DWI conviction in Bexar County, Texas. However, because AG’s genetic risk results indicated a genetically induced dopamine dysfunction, hypodopaminergia, the presiding judge sentenced AG to 5 years’ probation and continued substance abuse treatment—an exceptionally rare legal outcome for this type of offense. Most often, the fifth DWI arrest leads to a custodial prison sentence for the offender. We are cognizant that probands could use the relative idea of “determinism” vs. “free–will” as an excuse to use alcohol, but this is both unacceptable and unlikely. Defendants involved in a court proceeding for DWI have good reason to seek treatment for their genetically determined severe AUD. Here, the GARS test result and the individualized long-term treatment influenced by the GARS test results was a mitigating factor in sentencing. To our knowledge, this is a noteworthy legal precedent that utilizes genetic information to advocate for rehabilitation instead of incarceration in SUD cases, especially for individuals with multiple DWI convictions. Courts fundamentally want to help people—society as a whole, victims, and accused offenders. The use of the GARS test to identify issues and plan for the rehabilitation of accused offenders gives courts a valuable tool in their adjudicatory repertoire and advances their ability to resolve cases effectively

The disappearance of the "revolving door" patient in Scottish general practice: successful policies

<b>Background</b> We describe the health of "revolving door" patients in general practice in Scotland, estimate changes in their number over the timescale of the study, and explore reasons for changes, particularly related to NHS and government policy.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> A mixed methods predominantly qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach, set in Scottish general practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with professional key informants, 6 Practitioner Services staff who administer the GP registration system and 6 GPs with managerial or clinical experience of working with "revolving door" patients. Descriptive statistical analysis and qualitative analysis of patient removal episodes linked with routine hospital admissions, outpatient appointments, drug misuse treatment episodes and deaths were carried out with cohorts of "revolving door" patients identified from 1999 to 2005 in Scotland.<p></p> <b>Results</b> A "revolving door" patient is removed 4 or more times from GP lists in 7 years. Patients had complex health issues including substance misuse, psychiatric and physical health problems and were at high risk of dying. There was a dramatic reduction in the number of "revolving door" patients during the course of the study.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> "Revolving door" patients in general practice had significant health problems. Their numbers have reduced dramatically since 2004 and this probably resulted from improved drug treatment services, pressure from professional bodies to reduce patient removals and the positive ethical regulatory and financial climate of the 2004 GMS GP contract. This is a positive development for the NHS