189 research outputs found
Challenges to Studying Illicit Drug Users
Full text linkPurposeThroughout the world, illicit drug use continues to pose a significant risk to public health. The opioid crisis in North America, the diversion of the prescription drug tramadol throughout Africa, and the increasing supply of methamphetamines in East and South Asia all contribute to increasing risks to individual and societal health. Furthermore, the violation of human rights in efforts to enforce prohibitionist values poses significant threats to many individuals worldwide. With these evolving situations, it is imperative that researchers direct their attention to the various populations of illicit drug users. However, the inclusion of illicit drug users, often considered a vulnerable population, as participants in research studies presents several increased risks that must be addressed in study protocols. Researchers are required to provide â additional safeguardsâ to all study protocols involving illicit drug users, but there is often substantial variability and inconsistency in how these safeguards are applied. Additional safeguards can be timely, costly, and unduly burdensome for researchers, ethical review boards, and research participants.ApproachThrough synthesis of the current literature, this article addresses the barriers to studying illicit drug users and the methods researchers can utilize to minimize risk. A case study is provided to illustrate the high level of scrutiny of study protocols involving the participation of illicit drug users and the effect of such scrutiny on recruitment of participants. The article concludes with a discussion of the effects of the current political climate on the recruitment of illicit drug users in research.ConclusionsIndividuals who participate in criminal or illegal behaviors such as illicit drug use, prostitution, illegal entry into a country, and human trafficking are susceptible to multiple physical, mental, and social health risks, as well as criminal prosecution. The importance of research on the health of marginalized populations cannot be overstated. This work must continue, and at the same time, we must continue to protect these individuals to the best of our ability through diligent attention to sound research methods.Clinical RelevanceThe use of illicit drugs continues to pose a substantial threat to global health. Individuals who use illicit drugs are susceptible to multiple physical, mental, and social health risks, as well as criminal prosecution. It is imperative that researchers study these vulnerable populations in order to develop interventions to minimize individual and societal harm. There are several barriers to the study of illicit drug users that must be addressed through rigorous methodology and the addition of safeguards.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150546/1/jnu12486.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150546/2/jnu12486_am.pd
Type II spiral ganglion afferent neurons drive medial olivocochlear reflex suppression of the cochlear amplifier.
Get PDFThe dynamic adjustment of hearing sensitivity and frequency selectivity is mediated by the medial olivocochlear efferent reflex, which suppresses the gain of the 'cochlear amplifier' in each ear. Such efferent feedback is important for promoting discrimination of sounds in background noise, sound localization and protecting the cochleae from acoustic overstimulation. However, the sensory driver for the olivocochlear reflex is unknown. Here, we resolve this longstanding question using a mouse model null for the gene encoding the type III intermediate filament peripherin (Prph). Prph((-/-)) mice lacked type II spiral ganglion neuron innervation of the outer hair cells, whereas innervation of the inner hair cells by type I spiral ganglion neurons was normal. Compared with Prph((+/+)) controls, both contralateral and ipsilateral olivocochlear efferent-mediated suppression of the cochlear amplifier were absent in Prph((-/-)) mice, demonstrating that outer hair cells and their type II afferents constitute the sensory drive for the olivocochlear efferent reflex
Symptom Relief and Quality of Life in Autistic Children Using Medical Cannabis: A Secondary Analysis
Get PDFObjectives This study aimed to examine the experiences of parents and caregivers of autistic children who used medical cannabis (MMJ) for the treatment of core symptoms or co-occurring conditions Considered priorities and outcomes of medical cannabis use, including: 1) Quality of life (QoL) effects; 2) Symptoms of interest; 3) Symptoms of co-occurring conditionshttps://jdc.jefferson.edu/phbposters/1004/thumbnail.jp
Denying renal transplantation to an adolescent medical cannabis user: An ethical case study
Full text linkMedical cannabis is now legal in over half of the United States. As more patients adopt this unconventional therapy, it is inevitable that potential transplant recipients will disclose their cannabis use during transplant evaluation. Transplant teams are tasked with the decision to utilize a pressure resource, often with little guidance from international and national professional organizations. Many healthcare providers remain uniformed or misinformed about the risks of cannabis use and organ transplantation. In order to illustrate the multifaceted and complex evaluation of transplant patients using medical cannabis, this article presents the case of a 20‐year‐old woman recommended for renal transplant who was originally denied active listing due to her medical cannabis use. A review of the literature explores the perceived and actual risks of cannabis use in the immunocompromised patient. Furthermore, a discussion of the ethics of medical cannabis use and organ transplantation is included with recommendations for multidisciplinary transplant teams.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150568/1/petr13467.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150568/2/petr13467_am.pd
Fossil fuel interests in Puerto Rico: Perceptions of incumbent power and discourses of delay
Get PDFThis study explores perceptions of fossil fuel interests and the role narratives of fossil fuel obstruction play in slowing down the renewable energy transition in Puerto Rico. We analyzed interviews conducted with 56 “energy actors” engaged in Puerto Rico\u27s energy system about their visions of the system\u27s future and perceptions of the influence of different actors in promoting change or reinforcing the status-quo. The analysis also examined the use of discourses of delay in participant interviews using a framework proposed by Lamb et al. (2020). Our interviews revealed that a wide range of energy actors perceived obstruction by fossil fuel interests as shaping Puerto Rico\u27s energy transition, and used discourses of delay to describe Puerto Rico\u27s energy transition, but also employed narratives that countered this obstruction and resisted fossil fuel interests. The results depict the conflicted nature of Puerto Rico\u27s energy transition: on the one hand there was widespread agreement across a wide range of actors that the future of Puerto Rico\u27s energy system would eventually be renewable based, and at the same time, there were significant doubts that a renewable transition could or would occur. The complex interplay among perceptions of the influence of fossil fuel interests, discourses of delay, and narratives of resistance and community power offers insights into why renewable energy deployment has been slow in Puerto Rico, despite the possibility of a rapid transition after Hurricane Maria devastated the energy system in 2017 and ambitious energy policies were passed
Prioritising Healthy Placemaking after Covid-19 Workshop Outcomes & Practitioner Insights
Get PDFThis on-line event is organised in association with the South West Local Health District, Western Sydney Health Alliance, and Healthy Urban Environments Collaboratory. What have we have learnt from living through COVID19 and how do we build back better? How do we deliver placemaking that incorporates the explicit recognition of the need for social, environmental and economic sustainability and puts healthy placemaking at the top of everyone’s priorities
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