Drogues, sexe et risques dans la communauté gaie montréalaise : 1997-2003

Cet article décrit l’évolution de la consommation de drogues entre 1997 et 2003 chez des hommes gais et bisexuels séronégatifs de la grande région montréalaise, selon l’âge et selon les comportements sexuels à risque pour le VIH. Les données proviennent d’Oméga, une étude longitudinale sur l’incidence et les déterminants psychosociaux de l’infection au VIH chez ces hommes. Les participants ont rempli un questionnaire tous les six mois, et les données sont celles de leur première visite de suivi. Des analyses de tendance par période de calendrier ont été réalisées et un modèle de régression logistique utilisant une estimation par équations généralisées a été généré pour chaque type de drogues. Les résultats révèlent une augmentation de la consommation de cocaïne, de l’ecstasy, des hallucinogènes, du speed et du GHB entre 1997 et 2003. En revanche, la consommation de marijuana, de poppers et d’héroïne ne semble pas avoir changé de façon significative. Les moins de 30 ans et ceux qui ont eu des relations anales à risque semblent avoir été plus enclins à consommer certaines drogues pendant cette même période. Indices de transformations possibles dans les modes de vie de ces hommes, ces résultats soulèvent de nouveaux défis pour la prévention du VIH dans la communauté gaie.This article describes the evolution of drug use between 1997 and 2003 in HIV-negative men who have sex with men living in the Montreal region, according to age and HIV risk-taking behaviours. Data come from Omega, a longitudinal study on the incidence and on the psychosocial determinants of HIV infection among these men. Participants completed a questionnaire every six months and data are from the first follow-up visit. Trends analyses by calendar period were done and a logistic regression model using generalised equations for parameter estimation was generated for each type of drug. Results reveal an increase in cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogen, speed and GHB use between 1997 and 2003. On the other hand, marijuana, poppers and heroin use do not seem to have change significantly. Men who are younger than 30 years old and who had risky anal intercourse seem to be more likely to have used specific drugs in the same period. This indicates possible transformations in the way of life of these men and these results suggest new challenges for HIV prevention in the gay community.Este artículo describe la evolución del consumo de drogas entre 1997 y 2003 entre los hombres gay y bisexuales seronegativos de la gran región montrealesa, según la edad y los comportamientos sexuales de riesgo con respecto al VIH. Los datos provienen de Oméga, un estudio longitudinal sobre la incidencia y los determinantes psicosociales de la infección de VIH en los hombres. Los participantes respondieron un cuestionario cada seis meses y los datos son los de su primera visita de seguimiento. Se realizaron análisis de tendencia por período de calendario y se generó un modelo de regresión logística, utilizando una estimación por ecuaciones generalizadas para cada tipo de droga. Los resultados revelan un aumento del consumo de cocaína, éxtasis, alucinógenos, speed y GHB entre 1997 y 2003. Por el contrario, el consumo de marihuana, poppers y heroína no parece haber cambiado de manera significativa. Los menores de 30 años y quienes tienen relaciones sexuales anales a riesgo parecen haber tenido una mayor tendencia a consumir ciertas drogas durante este mismo período. Estos resultados, índices de transformaciones posibles en los modos de vida de estos hombres, plantean nuevos desafíos en la prevención del VIH en la comunidad gay

Increased Postprandial Nonesterified Fatty Acid Appearance and Oxidation in Type 2 Diabetes Is Not Fully Established in Offspring of Diabetic Subjects

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that abnormal postprandial plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) metabolism may participate in the development of tissue lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We previously found that non-diabetic offspring of two parents with T2D display increased plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation rates during intravenous administration of a fat emulsion. However, it is currently unknown whether plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation are abnormal during the postprandial state in these subjects at high-risk of developing T2D. METHODOLOGY: Palmitate appearance and oxidation rates and glycerol appearance rate were determined in eleven healthy offspring of two parents with T2D (positive family history, FH+), 13 healthy subjects without first-degree relatives with T2D (FH-) and 12 subjects with T2D at fasting, during normoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and during continuous oral intake of a standard liquid meal to achieve steady postprandial NEFA and triacylglycerols (TG) without and with insulin infusion to maintain similar glycemia in all three groups. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Plasma palmitate appearance and oxidation were higher at fasting and during the clamp conditions in the T2D group (all P<0.05). In the postprandial state, palmitate appearance, oxidative and non oxidative rates were all elevated in T2D (all P<0.05) but not in FH+. Both T2D and FH+ displayed elevated postprandial TG vs. FH- (P<0.001). Acute correction of hyperglycemia during the postprandial state did not affect these group differences. Increased waist circumference and BMI were positively associated with elevated postprandial plasma palmitate appearance and oxidation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Postprandial plasma NEFA intolerance observed in subjects with T2D is not fully established in non-diabetic offspring of both parents with T2D, despite the presence of increased postprandial plasma TG in the later. Elevated postprandial plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation in T2D is observed despite acute correction of the exaggerated glycemic excursion in this group

Parkin Deficiency Delays Motor Decline and Disease Manifestation in a Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy

In synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease, partially ubiquitylated α-synuclein species phosphorylated on serine 129 (PS129-α-synuclein) accumulate abnormally. Parkin, an ubiquitin-protein ligase that is dysfunctional in autosomal recessive parkinsonism, protects against α-synuclein-mediated toxicity in various models

Development of the PSYCHS: Positive SYmptoms and Diagnostic Criteria for the CAARMS Harmonized with the SIPS

Aim: To harmonize two ascertainment and severity rating instruments commonly used for the clinical high risk syndrome for psychosis (CHR-P): the Structured Interview for Psychosis-risk Syndromes (SIPS) and the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS). Methods: The initial workshop is described in the companion report from Addington et al. After the workshop, lead experts for each instrument continued harmonizing attenuated positive symptoms and criteria for psychosis and CHR-P through an intensive series of joint videoconferences. Results: Full harmonization was achieved for attenuated positive symptom ratings and psychosis criteria, and modest harmonization for CHR-P criteria. The semi-structured interview, named Positive SYmptoms and Diagnostic Criteria for the CAARMS Harmonized with the SIPS (PSYCHS), generates CHR-P criteria and severity scores for both CAARMS and SIPS. Conclusions: Using the PSYCHS for CHR-P ascertainment, conversion determination, and attenuated positive symptom severity rating will help in comparing findings across studies and in meta-analyses

L’alexithymie, une dimension de la personnalité à prendre en compte dans l’acquisition des compétences socio-émotionnelles chez des finissants stagiaires en éducation

Cette étude vise à déterminer la force d’association entre le niveau d’acquisition des compétences socio-émotionnelles (CSE) et le degré d’alexithymie d’un groupe de stagiaires de quatrième année inscrits dans un programme de formation à l’enseignement offert dans une université albertaine. Quarante-deux stagiaires (N=42, 23 femmes et 19 hommes) dont l’âge moyen était de 26,8 ans ont participé à l’étude. Afin de déterminer leur degré d’alexithymie, chaque participant a complété la 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Les CSE (exprimer, identifier et comprendre ses émotions et celles d’autrui) ont, pour leur part, été mesurées à l’aide d’une grille d’évaluation développée par le service de la formation pratique du programme concerné au cours du dernier stage des participants. Les résultats font ressortir des corrélations négatives et significatives entre les sous-échelles « difficultés à identifier ses émotions » et « difficultés à décrire ses émotions » de la TAS-20 et les habiletés se rapportant à des CSE. Les résultats indiquent également que les stagiaires alexithymiques et alexithymiques intermédiaires obtiennent des scores significativement plus bas à chacune des échelles de satisfaction des habiletés associées à des CSE comparativement aux stagiaires non alexithymiques. Ces résultats viennent renforcer les préoccupations quant à la capacité des stagiaires alexithymiques et alexithymiques intermédiaires d’acquérir des CSE au même niveau que les stagiaires non alexithymiques dans le cadre de leur formation en enseignement. Enfin, cette étude vient également renforcer l’idée de la pertinence de créer un cours de niveau universitaire sur les CSE, cours qui devrait répondre convenablement aux besoins des stagiaires alexithymiques qui se destinent à l’enseignement ou à l’intervention psychosociale auprès d’enfants et d’adolescents présentant des problèmes de comportement.The goal of this study is to determine the strength of the link between the level of acquisition of some socio-emotional competence (SEC) and the degree of alexithymia in a group of fourth-year students enrolled in the teacher-training program at one of Alberta’s universities. Forty-two students (N=42, 23 women and 19 men), whose average age was 26.8 years old, participated in the study. Each participant completed the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Also, the SEC (expressing, identifying and understanding one’s own and others’ emotions) was measured using an assessment grid used during the participants’ last student-teaching placement. The results indicate that the participants who were alexithymic and intermediate alexithymic on the TAS-20 are significantly lower on each of the satisfaction scales for the 6 skills associated with the SEC than the non alexithymic participants. The results also show significant negative correlations between the «difficulties identifying their emotions» and «difficulties describing their emotions» sub-scales of the TAS-20 and the 6 skills related with the SEC. These results strengthen the concerns about alexithymic and intermediate alexithymic students’ abilities to acquire the SEC during their placement to the same extent as non alexithymic students. Finally, this study also reinforces the idea of the appropriateness of creating a university-level course SEC which would suitably meet the needs of alexithymic students who are planning to go into teaching or who will intervene with children or youth with behavior problems

Lack of Evidence of Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus in a Prospective Cohort Study of Men Who Have Sex With Men

Objectives. We studied the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the ongoing Omega Cohort Study of men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods. From January to September 2001, consenting men (n = 1085) attending a follow-up visit to the ongoing Omega Cohort Study were tested for HCV. If the test results were positive for HCV, we compared them with test results from previous serum samples collected from the time of entry into the original cohort study to determine the time of infection. Results. HCV prevalence at entry was 2.9% and was strongly associated with injection drug use (32.9% vs 0.3%, P<.0001). Only 1 seroconversion was identified in 2653 person-years of follow-up (incidence rate = 0.038 per 100 person-years). The seroconverter was an active injection drug user who reported needle sharing. Conclusions. Sexual transmission of HCV among MSM appears to be rare