Investigating the association between strategic and pathological gambling behaviors and substance use in youth: Could religious faith play a differential role?

Objectives: This study investigated the link between gambling behaviors and the use of alcohol, drugs, and nonprescribed prescription medications, while exploring the moderating role of distinct religious faiths. Methods:: In 2010, 570 students from the American University of Beirut completed a self-reported, anonymous English questionnaire, which included lifetime gambling and past-year substance use measures. Results: Half (55%) were lifetime gamblers, of whom, 12% were probable pathological gamblers. About 60% were strategic gamblers. Lifetime gamblers were more than twice as likely as nongamblers to report past-year illegal drug use and alcohol abuse. Probable pathological gamblers were also more than four times as likely as nongamblers to report nonmedical prescription drug use, illegal drug use, and alcohol abuse. Compared to nonstrategic gamblers, strategic gamblers had more than three times the odds of illegal drug and cigarette use. The link between alcohol abuse and gambling was stronger among Christians than Muslims. Conversely, Muslims were more likely to report the co-occurrence of various gambling behaviors (lifetime, probable pathological, and strategic gambling) with both illegal drug use and cigarette use. Conclusions: Gambling and substance use behaviors were strongly linked in this sample of youth from Lebanon, corroborating the evidence from North America. Particularly novel are the co-occurrence of pathological gambling and nonmedical prescription drug use and the potential differential role of religion

A Toxicological Study of HangAmDan-B in Mice

AbstractThe aim of the study was to define the toxicity of HangAmDan-B (HAD-B) in mice over the short and long term. HAD-B was studied in 1-week single and 5-week repeated oral dose toxicity tests on male Imprinting Control Region mice. Doses used in 1 week single oral dose toxicity tests were 0, 0.2, 1, 5, and 25 g/kg/day and those of repeated toxicity test were 0, 0.04, 0.2, 1, and 2 g/kg/day. Blood and urine samples were assayed and their morphology observed. Numerical data were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and analysis of variance. Significantly decreased red blood cell levels in mice from S2-HAD-B, S3-HAD-B, S4-HAD-B, and S5-HAD-B groups were observed in single oral dose toxicity tests. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean cell hemoglobin values in mice from the S4-HAD-B and S5-HAD-B groups were also significantly decreased. No mortalities or significant differences in all factors were observed during the dosing period of the repeated dose toxicity test. Administering 2 g/kg/day of HAD-B in mice over a 5-week period showed no significant hematological changes. However, risk of anemia with more than 5 g/kg/ day administration of HAD-B was found. In general, HAD-B appears to be safe and nontoxic, and a no observed adverse effect level in mice was established at 2 g/kg/ day. This data serves as satisfactory preclinical evidence for the safety of HAD-B should a future clinical trial for HAD-B be launched. Further studies are required to confirm these safety results and to carry out a safety trial in humans

Gambling and sexual behaviors in African-American adolescents

Objectives: Late adolescence represents a developmental risk period when many youth become involved in multiple forms of high-risk behaviors with adverse consequences. This study assessed the degree to which two such behaviors, adolescent sexual behaviors and gambling, were associated in a community-based sample with a large African-American presence. Study design: Data are derived from a cohort study. This study focuses on 427 African-American participants with complete information on gambling and sexual behaviors by age 18 (72% of original cohort). Gambling involvement and related problems were based on responses to the South Oaks Gambling Screen — Revised for Adolescents. Several questions assessed sexual behaviors, including age of initiation. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, intervention status, impulsivity, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and alcohol and illegal drug use. Results: Almost half of the sample (49%, n = 211) had gambled at least once before age 18. More gamblers than non-gamblers had initiated sexual intercourse by age 18 (aOR: 2.29 [1.16, 4.52]). Among those who had initiated sexual activity, more gamblers than non-gamblers with high impulsivity levels at age 13 (vs. low impulsivity levels) had become pregnant or had impregnated someone. Among those who had initiated sexual activity by age 18, more male gamblers had impregnated someone by age 18 as compared to female gamblers becoming pregnant. Conclusions: Gambling and sexual behaviors often co-occur among adolescents. Such findings prompt the need for the inclusion of gambling, an often overlooked risky behavior, in behavioral prevention/intervention programs targeting adolescents

Alterations to the Gastrointestinal Microbiome Associated with Methamphetamine Use among Young Men who have Sex with Men.

Methamphetamine (MA) use is a major public health problem in the United States, especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Many MA-induced neurotoxic effects are mediated by inflammation and gut microbiota may play a role in this process, yet the effects of MA on the microbiome have not been adequately explored. Therefore, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on rectal swab samples from 381 men who have sex with men, 48% of whom were PLWH and 41% of whom used MA. We compared microbiome composition between MA users and non-users while testing for potential interactions with HIV and controlling for numerous confounders using inverse probability of treatment weighting. We found that MA use explained significant variation in overall composition (R2 = 0.005, p = 0.008) and was associated with elevated Finegoldia, Parvimonas, Peptoniphilus, and Porphyromonas and reduced Butyricicoccus and Faecalibacterium, among others. Genera including Actinomyces and Streptobacillus interacted with HIV status, such that they were increased in HIV+ MA users. Finegoldia and Peptoniphilus increased with increasing frequency of MA use, among others. In summary, MA use was associated with a microbial imbalance favoring pro-inflammatory bacteria, including some with neuroactive potential and others that have previously been associated with poor HIV outcomes

Health and Economic Burden of Post-Partum Staphylococcus aureus Breast Abscess

Objectives: To determine the health and economic burdens of post-partum Staphylococcus aureus breast abscess. Study design We conducted a matched cohort study (N = 216) in a population of pregnant women (N = 32,770) who delivered at our center during the study period from 10/1/03–9/30/10. Data were extracted from hospital databases, or via chart review if unavailable electronically. We compared cases of S. aureus breast abscess to controls matched by delivery date to compare health services utilization and mean attributable medical costs in 2012 United States dollars using Medicare and hospital-based estimates. We also evaluated whether resource utilization and health care costs differed between cases with methicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. aureus isolates. Results: Fifty-four cases of culture-confirmed post-partum S. aureus breast abscess were identified. Breastfeeding cessation (41%), milk fistula (11.1%) and hospital readmission (50%) occurred frequently among case patients. Breast abscess case patients had high rates of health services utilization compared to controls, including high rates of imaging and drainage procedures. The mean attributable cost of post-partum S. aureus breast abscess ranged from $2,340–$4,012, depending on the methods and data sources used. Mean attributable costs were not significantly higher among methicillin-resistant vs. –susceptible S. aureus cases. Conclusions: Post-partum S. aureus breast abscess is associated with worse health and economic outcomes for women and their infants, including high rates of breastfeeding cessation. Future study is needed to determine the optimal treatment and prevention of these infections

Suvorexant, a Novel Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist, for the Management of Insomnia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present investigation is a comprehensive review regarding the use of Suvorexant for insomnia treatment. It covers the background, pathophysiology, and significance of addressing insomnia, the pharmaceutical details of Suvorexant, and its safety, efficacy, and implications in treating insomnia. We further discuss Suvorexant\u27s role in targeting insomnia with other comorbidities. RECENT FINDINGS: Insomnia refers to poor quality and/or quantity of sleep. While there are many existing treatments such as benzodiazepines, melatonin agonists, TCAs, and atypical antipsychotics used to target various receptors involved in normal induction and maintenance of sleep, Suvorexant is an antagonist that specifically targets orexin receptors. Recent clinical studies suggest that Suvorexant is both clinically safe and effective. Quantity and quality of sleep are measured in various ways, yet the consensus points towards Suvorexant\u27s effectiveness in improving sleep time, onset, latency, and quality compared to placebo. In addition to helping improve isolated insomnia, Suvorexant helps improve sleep in patients that have other comorbidities such as obstructive sleep apnea, Alzheimer\u27s disease, dementia, acute stroke, and delirium. While Suvorexant is safe, there are still adverse effects associated with the drug that needs to be considered. The most common adverse effects include dizziness, somnolence, headaches, and cognitive impairment. SUMMARY: Insomnia is a major public health concern that affects many people worldwide and has been linked to many adverse health outcomes. While there are existing treatments that target different receptors and pathways of normal sleep induction and maintenance, Suvorexant is a novel drug that targets dual orexin receptors. Its safety and efficacy, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic parameters, and relative lack of rebound and withdrawal effects render suvorexant a reliable choice for the treatment of insomnia

Comparison of cardiovascular disease risk factors among FiLWHEL (2014–2016), NNS (2013) and KNHANES (2013–2015) women

Objectives This study assessed the CVD risk factors among Filipino women (FW) in Korea and compared them with FW in the Philippines and women in Korea (KW). Methods A cohort of 504 women from the Filipino Women's Health and Diet Study (FiLWHEL) aged 20–57years old were age-matched (1:1 ratio) with women from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey in the Philippines and the 2013–2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Anthropometric data, blood pressure (BP), lipid and glucose levels were compared across the four populations by calculating the odds ratio (OR)s and 95% confidence interval (CI)s using conditional logistic regression models. Results Compared to KW, FW in Korea and FW in the Philippines were more than 2 and 3 times higher odds of having obesity for BMI ≥ 30kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥ 88cm, respectively. However, FW in Korea had the highest odds (OR 5.51, 95% CI 3.18–9.56) of having hypertension compared to KW. FW in the Philippines had the highest odds of having dyslipidemia (compared to KW,total cholesterol ≥ 200mg/dL: OR 8.83, 95% CI 5.30–14.71; LDL-C ≥ 130mg/dL: OR 3.25, 95% CI 2.13–4.98; and triglyceride ≥ 150mg/dL: OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.59–4.22), but FW in Korea and KW had similar prevalence of dyslipidemia. Conclusions FW in Korea had higher prevalence of obesity and hypertension, with similar prevalence of dyslipidemia compared to KW in this sample. FW in the Philippines had higher prevalence of dyslipidemia compared to FW in Korea. Further prospective studies are warranted to examine the CVD risk factors among continental and native-born Filipino women.Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., (No. 201300000001270), Chong Kun Dang Pharm, Seoul, Korea, (No. 201600000000225) and Yuhan Corporation supported the study. APO is supported by the Brain Pool Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2020H1D3A1A04081265). The funding agencies played no role in the study design and data collection, data analyses, and interpretations, or in preparing and submitting this manuscript for publication

Metabolic gatekeeper function of B-lymphoid transcription factors.

B-lymphoid transcription factors, such as PAX5 and IKZF1, are critical for early B-cell development, yet lesions of the genes encoding these transcription factors occur in over 80% of cases of pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The importance of these lesions in ALL has, until now, remained unclear. Here, by combining studies using chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing and RNA sequencing, we identify a novel B-lymphoid program for transcriptional repression of glucose and energy supply. Our metabolic analyses revealed that PAX5 and IKZF1 enforce a state of chronic energy deprivation, resulting in constitutive activation of the energy-stress sensor AMPK. Dominant-negative mutants of PAX5 and IKZF1, however, relieved this glucose and energy restriction. In a transgenic pre-B ALL mouse model, the heterozygous deletion of Pax5 increased glucose uptake and ATP levels by more than 25-fold. Reconstitution of PAX5 and IKZF1 in samples from patients with pre-B ALL restored a non-permissive state and induced energy crisis and cell death. A CRISPR/Cas9-based screen of PAX5 and IKZF1 transcriptional targets identified the products of NR3C1 (encoding the glucocorticoid receptor), TXNIP (encoding a glucose-feedback sensor) and CNR2 (encoding a cannabinoid receptor) as central effectors of B-lymphoid restriction of glucose and energy supply. Notably, transport-independent lipophilic methyl-conjugates of pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites bypassed the gatekeeper function of PAX5 and IKZF1 and readily enabled leukaemic transformation. Conversely, pharmacological TXNIP and CNR2 agonists and a small-molecule AMPK inhibitor strongly synergized with glucocorticoids, identifying TXNIP, CNR2 and AMPK as potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, our results provide a mechanistic explanation for the empirical finding that glucocorticoids are effective in the treatment of B-lymphoid but not myeloid malignancies. Thus, B-lymphoid transcription factors function as metabolic gatekeepers by limiting the amount of cellular ATP to levels that are insufficient for malignant transformation