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Objective: To investigate gastrointestinal (GI)‐related physician visits and drug dispensations in the 5 years preceding a first recorded demyelinating event or multiple sclerosis (MS) onset. Methods: Using linked administrative and clinical data from British Columbia (1996–2013), Canada, we identified an administrative cohort via a validated algorithm (n = 6863), a clinical cohort diagnosed at a MS clinic (n = 966), and matched controls (administrative cohort: n = 31,865; clinical cohort: n = 4534). In each cohort, the 5 years before a first demyelinating event or MS symptom onset (i.e., index date) were examined. We compared rates of GI‐related physician visits and risk of ≥1 GI‐related dispensation between MS cases and controls using negative binomial and robust Poisson models. Sex differences were tested using interaction terms. Results: The administrative cohort MS cases had higher rates of physician visits related to gastritis and duodenitis (adjusted rate/risk ratio (aRR):1.42, 95% CI: 1.10–1.83) and diseases of the esophagus (aRR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06–2.02) prior to the index date. MS cases also had greater risk of at least one dispensation for several drug classes, including constipation‐related (aRR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.50–2.22), antiemetics/antinauseants (aRR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.43–1.89), and propulsives (promotility drugs; aRR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.47–1.79). Men had a disproportionally higher relative risk for propulsives than women (aRR: men = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.79–3.00; women = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.36–1.72). Several findings were similar in the smaller clinical cohort though none reached statistical significance. Interpretation: GI‐related physician visits and drug dispensations were more common in the 5 years before the first demyelinating event versus matched controls. GI symptoms are a measurable feature of the prodromal or early phase of MS, with a sex difference evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropospheric and lower‐stratospheric motions at mesoscales and larger are a mixture of waves and two‐dimensional (2‐D) turbulence. Determining their relative importance is necessary, since waves are capable of coordinated systematic momentum transport accompanying the wave propagation, and associated wind forcing, in ways that 2‐D turbulence is not. This can impact weather forecasting. Using a network of ten windprofiler radars in eastern Ontario and western Quebec in Canada, plus an additional one in the Arctic, the relative roles of internal gravity (buoyancy) waves and two‐dimensional turbulence are examined at temporal scales from about 3–4 hrs to several tens of hours (horizontal spatial scales of typically one or two hundred kilometres to a few thousand kilometres), with the purpose of investigating the respective roles of these two distinct characteristic fluid motions as functions of location, season and year. The emphasis is on studies of spectral slope variability, rather than absolute spectral magnitudes, giving a perspective not previously substantially presented. In particular, we have found a frequency band in which gravity‐wave Doppler shifting produces distinctly different spectral slopes than those predicted for 2‐D turbulence, and these differences are employed to distinguish the flow fields. The network used (excluding the Arctic site) covers an area of ∼106 km2 and includes a variety of different terrains. Radial velocities have been recorded on time scales of minutes for data lengths covering durations of up to 12 years. Altitude coverage is from 1 km to typically 14 km, at 500 m resolution. Results suggest a region from ∼2 to ∼5 km altitude (deeper for some radars) where waves are weaker and 2‐D turbulence appears to be generally more significant, but where occasional bursts of gravity‐wave activity can occur, while above typically 6–8 km, gravity waves increase in significance. There are distinct site‐to‐site variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Boys use cannabis at a younger age and more frequently than girls. It has been suggested these sex differences might vary according to students' relationship to school. We explored whether the association between sex and adolescents' cannabis use varies among schools and according to students' school connectedness. METHODS: The study population consisted of all students from 11 secondary schools in the greater Québec City area. The sample included 6185 respondents in years 1 to 5 at the secondary level (equivalent to grades 7‐11). Study outcomes were monthly cannabis use and early cannabis use. RESULTS: The association between sex and monthly cannabis use varied significantly among schools after controlling for students' main characteristics and school socioeconomic environment. We found a statistically significant modifying effect of school connectedness on the association between sex and monthly cannabis use. For early cannabis use, we found no modifying effect of school connectedness nor any association with sex. CONCLUSIONS: Measures to reduce adolescents' cannabis use could be better adapted to local context and more tailored to specific higher‐risk groups. School connectedness is a protective factor for cannabis use, although this effect appears stronger for girls than boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bullying has been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including substance use. However, little is known about the association between bullying and e‐cigarette use. This study examined the association between bully victimization and the frequency of e‐cigarette use. METHODS: Data from the 2016‐2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey were used (N = 49,543). The target population consists of Canadian students enrolled in grades 7‐12. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between bullying victimization status and e‐cigarette use. RESULTS: Among the students included in the study, 14.1% were bullied less than once a week. Bullying victimization was statistically significantly associated with higher odds of any e‐cigarette use in the last 30 days. Likewise, those bullied daily or almost daily were more likely to use e‐cigarettes more frequently compared to students not bullied. We found a statistically significant difference in analysis stratified by sex, with female bullying victims having higher odds of all measures of e‐cigarette use. CONCLUSIONS: Bullying victims were significantly more likely to use an e‐cigarette, and findings appeared to vary by sex. Female bullying victims had a higher likelihood of e‐cigarette use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: There is limited research on the dietary behaviours of Canadian children at school, including where students obtain food from during school hours or whether lunch‐time food source influences diet quality. Methods: Nationally representative cross‐sectional data from 24‐h dietary recalls were analysed from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 4589). Dietary outcomes included school hour and school day dietary intakes and School Healthy Eating Index (S‐HEI) scores. Survey‐weighted covariate‐adjusted linear regression models examined differences in dietary outcomes across lunch‐time food source groups. Results: The majority of children (72.8%) reported bringing lunch from home, whereas fewer students obtained lunch from off‐campus locations (11.6%), schools (9.6%) or skipped lunch (5.9%). Compared to off‐campus lunches, home‐packed lunches were significantly higher in fibre, vitamins A, D and C, thiamin, magnesium, iron, grains, vegetables and fruit, but lower in total calories, fat and calories from minimally nutritious foods. Average school hour diet quality required improvement for all age groups, although S‐HEI scores did not differ significantly by lunch‐time food source among 6–8‐year‐old children. However, for children age 9–17 years, bringing a home‐packed lunch was associated with significantly higher S‐HEI scores compared to students obtaining lunch from off‐campus locations. After adjusting for age and sex, lunch‐time food source was also significantly associated with whole day dietary quality. Conclusions: Although the nutritional quality of off‐campus lunches was lower than home‐packed lunches, the quality of foods was suboptimal, regardless of food source. Strategies are needed to enhance access to nutritious foods on campus and improve the nutritional quality of packed lunches, which supply the majority of lunch‐time foods consumed by Canadian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective There are few clinical predictors of the progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive significance of key cytokines for long-term progression of ILD and survival in 2 independent cohorts of patients with early SSc. Methods Plasma levels of 11 Th1/Th2 cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor, CCL2, interferon-inducible T cell α chemoattractant, and interferon-γ-inducible 10-kd protein) were measured in 266 patients with early SSc in the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study (GENISOS) discovery cohort. Levels of CCL2, IL-10, and IL-6 were measured in 171 patients with early SSc in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) replication cohort. The primary outcome measure was a decline in the forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%) value over time. A joint analysis of longitudinal FVC% values and survival was performed. Results After adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity, CCL2 and IL-10 were found to be significant predictors of ILD progression in the discovery cohort. Higher CCL2 levels predicted a faster decline in FVC% values (b = −0.57, P = 0.032), while higher IL-10 levels predicted a slower decline (b = 0.26, P = 0.01). A higher CCL2 value was also predictive of poorer survival (hazard ratio 1.76, P = 0.030). In the CSRG replication cohort, higher CCL2 levels predicted a faster decline in FVC% values (b = −0.58, P = 0.038), but neither IL-10 nor IL-6 had predictive significance. A higher CCL2 level also predicted poorer survival (hazard ratio 3.89, P = 0.037). Conclusion Higher CCL2 levels in the circulation were predictive of ILD progression and poorer survival in patients with early SSc, findings that support the notion that CCL2 has a role as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative therapy that focuses on strengthening a person's internal motivation to change. Research suggests that MI may be helpful for treating binge eating; however, findings are limited and little is known about how MI for binge eating compares to active therapy controls. The present study aimed to build on current research by comparing MI as a prelude to self-help treatment for binge eating with psychoeducation as a prelude to self-help treatment for binge eating. Method Participants with full or subthreshold DSM-IV Binge Eating Disorder or nonpurging Bulimia Nervosa were randomly assigned to receive either 60 minutes of MI followed by a self-help manual ( n = 24) or 60 minutes of psychoeducation followed by a self-help manual ( n = 21). Questionnaires were completed pre- and postsession, and at 1 and 4 months postsession. Results MI significantly increased readiness to change and confidence in ability to control binge eating, whereas psychoeducation did not. No group differences were found when changes in eating disorder attitudes and behaviors were examined. Discussion MI offers benefits for increasing motivation and self-efficacy. However, it may not be a uniquely effective treatment approach for reducing binge eating. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:328-332) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the validity of the interpersonal model of binge-eating disorder (BED) psychopathology in a clinical sample of women with BED. Data from a cross-sectional sample of 255 women with BED were examined for the direct effects of interpersonal problems on BED symptoms and psychopathology, and indirect effects mediated by negative affect. Structural equation modelling analyses demonstrated that higher levels of interpersonal problems were associated with greater negative affect, and greater negative affect was associated with higher frequency of BED symptoms and psychopathology. There was a significant indirect effect of interpersonal problems on BED symptoms and psychopathology mediated through negative affect. Interpersonal problems may lead to greater BED symptoms and psychopathology, and this relationship may be partially explained by elevated negative affect. The results of the study are the first to provide support for the interpersonal model of BED symptoms and psychopathology in a clinical sample of women. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]