Profils des toxicomanes judiciarisés en traitement dans deux centres de réadaptation publics au Québec

L’objectif de la présente étude consiste à tenter de mieux connaître la population judiciarisée qui se présente en traitement pour des problèmes de toxicomanies. Deux cent seize clients admis en traitement dans deux centres de réadaptation en toxicomanie du Québec constituent l’échantillon. Ces sujets ont répondu à l’Indice de gravité d’une toxicomanie (IGT-ASI), au Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), à l’Inventaire de personnalité Jesness, et au University of Rhodes Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). Ces outils nous serviront à décrire la popula~tion étudiée. L’analyse des données nous entraîne dans une réflexion à deux niveaux. D’une part, l’observation de problématiques multiples dans la population à l’étude nous questionne sur les possibilités de mettre en place des services de traitement adéquats pour ces personnes qui apparaissent éprouver des problèmes d’adaptation à plusieurs niveaux. D’autre part, le niveau des problèmes de toxicomanie des personnes référées par le système de justice nous interroge sur la pertinence de certaines de ces références.The aim of this study is to acquire a better understanding of the offenders admitted to an addiction treatment facility. The sample is Two hundred and sixteen client admitted to two public addiction treatment facilities of Province of Québec. These subjects answered to the French form of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-IGT), the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), the Jesness Inventory Personality Scales, and the University of Rhodes Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). These psychometric tools are used to describe our sample. The analysis leads to two main discussion themes. First, the multiple problematics observed in our sample confront the clinicians with the difficulty to offer treatment services that will adequately answer to these various needs. Second, the low level of addiction of some clients referred by the justice system challenges the relevance to refer these clients to an addiction treatment facility

Technical Note on the quality of DNA sequencing for the molecular characterisation of genetically modified plants

As part of the risk assessment (RA) requirements for genetically modified (GM) plants, according to Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 and the EFSA guidance on the RA of food and feed from GM plants (EFSA GMO Panel, 2011), applicants need to perform a molecular characterisation of the DNA sequences inserted in the GM plant genome. The European Commission has mandated EFSA to develop a technical note to the applicants on, and checking of, the quality of the methodology, analysis and reporting covering complete sequencing of the insert and flanking regions, insertion site analysis of the GM event, and generational stability and integrity. This Technical Note puts together requirements and recommendations for when DNA sequencing is part of the molecular characterisation of GM plants, in particular for the characterisation of the inserted genetic material at each insertion site and flanking regions, the determination of the copy number of all detectable inserts, and the analysis of the genetic stability of the inserts, when addressed by Sanger sequencing or NGS. This document reflects the current knowledge in scientific‐technical methods for generating and verifying, in a standardised manner, DNA sequencing data in the context of RA of GM plants. From 1 October 2018, this Technical Note will replace the JRC guideline of 2016 (updated April 2017) related to the verification and quality assessment of the sequencing of the insert(s) and flanking regions. It does not take into consideration the verification and validation of the detection method which remains under the remit of the JRC

Leptin is required for hypothalamic regulation of miRNAs targeting POMC 3 ′ UTR

International audienceThe central nervous system (CNS) monitors modifications in metabolic parameters or hormone levels and elicits adaptive responses such as food intake regulation. Particularly, within the hypothalamus, leptin modulates the activity of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons which are critical regulators of energy balance. Consistent with a pivotal role of the melanocortin system in the control of energy homeostasis, disruption of the POMC gene causes hyperphagia and obesity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally repress the expression of genes by binding to 3 ′-untranslated regions (3 ′ UTR) of the target mRNAs. However, little is known regarding the role of miRNAs that target POMC 3 ′ UTR in the central control energy homeostasis. Particularly, their interaction with the leptin signaling pathway remain unclear. First, we used common prediction programs to search for potential miRNAs target sites on 3 ′ UTR of POMC mRNA. This screening identified a set of conserved miRNAs seed sequences for mir-383, mir-384-3p, and mir-488. We observed that mir-383, mir-384-3p, and mir-488 are up-regulated in the hypothalamus of leptin deficient ob/ob mice. In accordance with these observations, we also showed that mir-383, mir-384-3p, and mir-488 were increased in db/db mice that exhibit a non-functional leptin receptor. The intraperitoneal injection of leptin down-regulated the expression of these miRNAs of interest in the hypothalamus of ob/ob mice showing the involvement of leptin in the expression of mir-383, mir-384-3p, and mir-488. Finally, the evaluation of responsivity to intracerebroventricular administration of leptin exhibited that a chronic treatment with leptin decreased mir-488 expression in hypothalamus of C57BL/6 mice. In summary, these results suggest that leptin modulates the expression of miRNAs that target POMC mRNA in hypothalamus

Ribosomal DNA Deletions Modulate Genome-Wide Gene Expression: “rDNA–Sensitive” Genes and Natural Variation

The ribosomal rDNA gene array is an epigenetically-regulated repeated gene locus. While rDNA copy number varies widely between and within species, the functional consequences of subtle copy number polymorphisms have been largely unknown. Deletions in the Drosophila Y-linked rDNA modifies heterochromatin-induced position effect variegation (PEV), but it has been unknown if the euchromatic component of the genome is affected by rDNA copy number. Polymorphisms of naturally occurring Y chromosomes affect both euchromatin and heterochromatin, although the elements responsible for these effects are unknown. Here we show that copy number of the Y-linked rDNA array is a source of genome-wide variation in gene expression. Induced deletions in the rDNA affect the expression of hundreds to thousands of euchromatic genes throughout the genome of males and females. Although the affected genes are not physically clustered, we observed functional enrichments for genes whose protein products are located in the mitochondria and are involved in electron transport. The affected genes significantly overlap with genes affected by natural polymorphisms on Y chromosomes, suggesting that polymorphic rDNA copy number is an important determinant of gene expression diversity in natural populations. Altogether, our results indicate that subtle changes to rDNA copy number between individuals may contribute to biologically relevant phenotypic variation

The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults):Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: . High-quality comprehensive data on short-/long-term physical/mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed. Methods: . The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) is an international, multi-language (n=30) project involving >230 investigators from 49 countries/territories/regions, endorsed by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT is a multi-wave, on-line anonymous, cross-sectional survey [wave 1: 04/2020 until the end of the pandemic, 12 months waves 2/3 starting 6/24 months threreafter] for adults, adolescents (14-17), and children (6-13), utilizing non-probability/snowball and representative sampling. COH-FIT aims to identify non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to improve social/health outcomes in the general population/vulnerable subgrous during/after COVID-19. In adults, co-primary outcomes are change from pre-COVID-19 to intra-COVID-19 in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Key secondary outcomes are a P-extended score, global mental and physical health. Secondary outcomes include health-service utilization/ functioning, treatment adherence, functioning, symptoms/behaviors/emotions, substance use, violence, among others. Results: . Starting 04/26/2020, up to 14/07/2021 >151,000 people from 155 countries/territories/regions and six continents have participated. Representative samples of >= 1,000 adults have been collected in 15 countries. Overall, 43.0% had prior physical disorders, 16.3% had prior mental disorders, 26.5% were health care workers, 8.2% were aged >= 65 years, 19.3% were exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, 76.1% had been in quarantine, and 2.1% had been COVID 19-positive. Limitations: . Cross-sectional survey, preponderance of non-representative participants. Conclusions: . Results from COH-FIT will comprehensively quantify the impact of COVID-19, seeking to identify high-risk groups in need for acute and long-term intervention, and inform evidence-based health policies/strategies during this/future pandemics

Physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents, and their families:The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times-Children and Adolescents (COH-FIT-C&A)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered daily routines and family functioning, led to closing schools, and dramatically limited social interactions worldwide. Measuring its impact on mental health of vulnerable children and adolescents is crucial. Methods: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT - www. coh-fit.com) is an on-line anonymous survey, available in 30 languages, involving >230 investigators from 49 countries supported by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT has thee waves (until the pandemic is declared over by the WHO, and 6-18 months plus 24-36 months after its end). In addition to adults, COH-FIT also includes adolescents (age 14-17 years), and children (age 6-13 years), recruited via nonprobability/snowball and representative sampling and assessed via self-rating and parental rating. Nonmodifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to promote health and prevent mental and physical illness in children and adolescents will be generated by COH-FIT. Co primary outcomes are changes in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Multiple behavioral, family, coping strategy and service utilization factors are also assessed, including functioning and quality of life. Results: Up to June 2021, over 13,000 children and adolescents from 59 countries have participated in the COHFIT project, with representative samples from eleven countries. Limitations: Cross-sectional and anonymous design. Conclusions: Evidence generated by COH-FIT will provide an international estimate of the COVID-19 effect on children's, adolescents' and families', mental and physical health, well-being, functioning and quality of life, informing the formulation of present and future evidence-based interventions and policies to minimize adverse effects of the present and future pandemics on youth

Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search

Document recommendation systems for locating relevant literature have mostly relied on methods developed a decade ago. This is largely due to the lack of a large offline gold-standard benchmark of relevant documents that cover a variety of research fields such that newly developed literature search techniques can be compared, improved and translated into practice. To overcome this bottleneck, we have established the RElevant LIterature SearcH consortium consisting of more than 1500 scientists from 84 countries, who have collectively annotated the relevance of over 180 000 PubMed-listed articles with regard to their respective seed (input) article/s. The majority of annotations were contributed by highly experienced, original authors of the seed articles. The collected data cover 76% of all unique PubMed Medical Subject Headings descriptors. No systematic biases were observed across different experience levels, research fields or time spent on annotations. More importantly, annotations of the same document pairs contributed by different scientists were highly concordant. We further show that the three representative baseline methods used to generate recommended articles for evaluation (Okapi Best Matching 25, Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency and PubMed Related Articles) had similar overall performances. Additionally, we found that these methods each tend to produce distinct collections of recommended articles, suggesting that a hybrid method may be required to completely capture all relevant articles. The established database server located at https://relishdb.ict.griffith.edu.au is freely available for the downloading of annotation data and the blind testing of new methods. We expect that this benchmark will be useful for stimulating the development of new powerful techniques for title and title/abstract-based search engines for relevant articles in biomedical research.Peer reviewe

Point de vue des usagers sur une procédure d’évaluation clinique basée sur l’Indice de gravité d’une toxicomanie (IGT)

L’Indice de gravité d’une toxicomanie (IGT) est l’un des instruments les plus utilisés pour l’évaluation et l’orientation des personnes toxicomanes. Puisque l’évaluation constitue le premier contact entre la personne en demande d’aide et le milieu clinique, elle s’avère déterminante quant à l’implication du client dans le traitement. La présente étude s’intéresse spécifiquement à la perspective des usagers au sujet de leur évaluation menée avec l’IGT. Au total, 306 participants ont rempli un questionnaire à la suite de leur rencontre d’évaluation. Neuf d’entre eux ont été invités à se joindre à un groupe de discussion. Les résultats indiquent que 80 % des clients se disent très satisfaits de leur contact avec l’évaluateur. Un peu plus de 74 % des répondants ont indiqué que l’entrevue IGT leur a permis d’avoir une meilleure compréhension de leurs difficultés. Les questions qu’il comporte sont jugées claires et pertinentes. Des usagers soulignent qu’il leur a été difficile de se remémorer quelques faits en relation avec leur dépendance à l’alcool ou aux drogues. Les femmes, les personnes plus âgées et celles orientées vers des services de santé mentale rapportent avoir eu plus de difficultés à compléter certaines parties de l’IGT. En dépit de la lourdeur de l’outil et du caractère intrusif de certaines questions, l’IGT semble être bien accueilli par les usagers parce qu’il est administré dans une ambiance conviviale par des évaluateurs qui font preuve d’empathie. Ce contexte serait propice au développement d’un lien thérapeutique entre le client et l’intervenant.The Addiction Severity Index (ASI), in French the Indice de gravité d’une toxicomanie (IGT), is one of the tools most frequently used to evaluate and refer drug addicts. Since evaluation is the first contact between the person asking for help and the clinical environment, it is a determining factor in the client’s involvement in his treatment. This study specifically focuses on the user’s perspective in regard to the IGT evaluation. In all, 306 participants completed a questionnaire following their evaluation meeting. Nine of them were invited to join a discussion group. The results indicated that 80% of the clients were very satisfied with their contact with the evaluator. A little more than 74% of the respondents indicated that the IGT interview enabled them to acquire a better understanding of their difficulties. The questions it involved were considered clear and relevant. The users emphasized that it had been difficult for them to remember certain facts related to their dependence on alcohol or drugs. Women, the elderly and users referred to mental health services reported having more difficulty in completing certain portions of the IGT. In spite of the weight of the tool and the intrusive nature of certain questions, it appears that it was well accepted by users because it is administered in a friendly environment by evaluators who are empathetic. This context is conducive to the development of a therapeutic relationship between the client and the practitioner.El Índice de Gravedad de la Adicción (ASI) es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados para la evaluación y la orientación de los toxicómanos. Puesto que la evaluación constituye el primer contacto entre la persona que requiere ayuda y el medio clínico, la misma es determinante en lo que respecta a la implicación del cliente en el tratamiento. El presente estudio se interesa específicamente en la perspectiva de los usuarios con respecto a su evaluación realizada con el ASI. En total, 306 participantes llenaron un cuestionario luego de su reunión de evaluación. Nueve de ellos fueron invitados a unirse a un grupo de discusión. Los resultados indican que el 80% de los clientes se dicen muy satisfechos de su contacto con el evaluador. Un poco más de 74% de los entrevistados indicaron que la entrevista ASI les permitió tener una mejor comprensión de sus dificultades. Se juzgó que las preguntas que incluye son claras y pertinentes. Los usuarios destacaron que les fue difícil recordar algunos hechos relacionados con su dependencia al alcohol y a las drogas. Las mujeres, las personas de edad y quienes están orientados hacia los servicios de salud mental declaran haber tenido más dificultades para completar ciertas partes del ISA. A pesar de la pesadez del instrumento y del carácter intrusivo de ciertas preguntas, el ISA parece ser bien recibido por los usuarios porque es administrado por evaluadores que demuestran empatía en un ambiente amistoso. Este contexto sería propicio para el desarrollo de un vínculo terapéutico entre el cliente y el interviniente