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The objective of this study was to describe existing regulations of non-medical cannabis legalization in North America to inform recommendations for future health policy. These regulations are among the first in the world and will set a precedent for other jurisdictions globally who legalize cannabis. This was a review of online grey literature on regulatory approaches to non-medical cannabis legalization in North American jurisdictions. We conducted an internet search in June 2019 to identify government and public health resources published after January 1, 2012. We were able to achieve data saturation using a limited number of resources. Data extraction was conducted by two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Eleven US states, the District of Columbia, and Canada have enacted legal recreational cannabis regulations. The legal age of cannabis possession matches the legal drinking age in all jurisdictions except one. Most consumption is in private residences only, with some provinces/territories permitting public consumption where tobacco is permitted. Most jurisdictions allow for home growing of up to 6 (US) or 4 (Canada) plants and a maximum possession of 1 oz. (US) or 1.06 oz. (Canada). Cannabis is available for purchase only in private retail stores in US states, while Canada has also legalized online sales. Impaired driving assessment is not cannabis-specific in most US states, while Canada has federal driving limits. Although North American approaches to regulating recreational cannabis use are consistent in many aspects, some exceptions exist (e.g., home growing, personal possession). More research is needed to assess the impact of variations in regulatory policies on potential harms from legalization to inform future policy decisions in North America and abroad. Complementary public health interventions will be crucial in ensuring public health and safety. • North American regulations for legalized cannabis are among the first in the world. • Eleven US states, DC, and Canada have enacted legal recreational cannabis regulations. • Policies aim to protect youth, reduce illegal sales, and deter impaired driving. • Many regulations are consistent between jurisdictions, but key exceptions exist. • Future research should assess the impact of regulatory differences on potential harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body temperature (T b ) is one of the most influential factors affecting physiological processes in ectothermic animals. Reptiles use behaviours such as shuttling, and postural and orientation adjustments to ensure that T b remains close to a target. It is thought that target body temperature (T target ) is aligned to the physiological and behavioural thermal optima of the animal. The Sungazer ( Smaug giganteus ), a Threatened lizard species, is unique amongst the Cordylidae in that lizards inhabit self-excavated burrows in open grasslands, a habitat in which there are few exposed rock basking sites. In this situation, T b s are likely to be greatly influenced by postural and orientation adjustments during basking. We measured T b s using modified iButtons, and calculated T target of free-ranging Sungazers in order to assess the impact of body posture and orientation in the thermoregulation of the species. We used camera traps to record lizard behaviour at burrow entrances and aligned these measures to measures of T b . T target was 30 ± 1.4 °C, and T b s remained within this range for 371 ± 162 min per day. The anterior body-up postures resulted in faster heating and higher T b s. Lizards heated faster when facing away from the sun and spent proportionally more time in this orientation in the morning when T b s were lower than T target . Our findings suggest that their wide behavioural repertoire allows Sungazers to thermoregulate effectively over a broad range of environmental conditions and may thus be able to effectively respond to changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The performance of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using the Smart Cycler instrument and a minor groove binding MGB Eclipse™ probe (Epoch Biosciences, Bothell, WA) for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in acid-fast bacillus smear-positive and smear-negative clinical specimens was assessed by comparing results to the Amplified M. tuberculosis Direct Test (MTD) and mycobacterial culture plus clinical diagnosis. After initial testing, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of PCR for the 172 specimens submitted for mycobacterial culture were 86.3%, 100%, 100%, and 94.5%, respectively. These same values for MTD were 98.0%, 99.2%, 98.0%, and 99.2%. For 83 additional specimens, only MTD and PCR were performed; 5 specimens were positive and 78 were negative by both tests. The sensitivity of the PCR assay was improved by using different primers and probes. The time to a result for real-time PCR, starting with a decontaminated sample, was less than 3 h compared with 5–6 h for the MTD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein that is expressed almost exclusively in mineralizing connective tissues. In bone, expression of BSP correlates with the differentiation of osteoblasts and the onset of mineralization. To determine how the tissue- and differentiation-specific transcription of BSP is regulated, various lengths of promoter sequence were ligated to a luciferase reporter and stably transfected into a rat stromal bone marrow cell line, RBMC-D8 and undifferentiated C3H10T1/2 cells. Luciferase transcription of reporter constructs including 5.4 kb (mBSP5.4Luc) and 9.0 kb (mBSP9.0Luc) of the BSP promoter was strongly up-regulated in parallel with endogenous BSP mRNA in differentiating SBMCs, but not in C3H10T1/2 cells. In contrast, 0.1 kb and 1.4 kb BSP promoter constructs did not show selective expression. To determine tissue-specific expression in vivo, transgenic mice expressing reporter constructs for the 9.0 kb promoter and a 4.8 kb promoter lacking two upstream Cbfa1/Runx2 elements (mBSP9.0Luc and mBSP4.8Luc, respectively) were generated. Analysis of various tissues collected from 1-, 4-, 7-, 14-, and 42-day-old mice revealed extremely high levels of luciferase activity in calvaria, mandible, and tibia of the mBSP9.0Luc mice. In contrast, soft tissues showed negligible luciferase expression. Mice harboring the 4.8 kb transgene also showed selective luciferase expression but displayed a significantly lower activity in mineralized tissues. Northern hybridization of endogenous BSP mRNA and immunostaining of BSP in mBSP9.0Luc mice showed a temporo-spatial expression pattern consistent with the luciferase activity. These results indicate that regulatory elements within the 9.0 kb region of the promoter are required for strong, tissue- and differentiation-specific expression of BSP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background:: Rapid diagnostic methods for respiratory syncytial virus are useful tools available for the clinician. Objectives:: The Thermo Electron™ RSV OIA® (optical immunoassay kit) was prospectively compared with direct immunofluorescent assay and viral culture at Primary Children''s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Study design:: Specimens from three hundred and thirty patients exhibiting respiratory symptoms were collected for testing by the three methods above. Several specimens were positive by both OIA and DFA with a negative culture result. These culture results were verified by RT-PCR analysis. Results:: Overall, 107 specimens were positive for RSV by the reference tests (culture or RT-PCR). DFA analysis identified an additional 40 patient specimens positive for other respiratory viruses. Compared to the reference tests the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of the OIA for detection of RSV were 87.9%, 99.6%, 98.9% and 94.5%, respectively. Conclusions:: The rapid OIA assay format proved to be cost effective, and simple to use in comparison to DFA and viral culture. Negative rapid test results should still be confirmed with a secondary test. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Binax™ NOW® immunochromatographic assay for respiratory syncytial virus was prospectively compared with direct fluorescent assay and viral culture at Primary Children''s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah during February 2003. Three hundred ten patient specimens were collected for testing, of which 102 specimens were positive for respiratory syncytial virus by the reference tests, direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA), and culture or molecular analysis. DFA analysis identified an additional 40 patient specimens positive for other respiratory viruses. Compared to the reference tests, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of respiratory syncytial virus were 89.2%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 94.9%, respectively. This rapid assay format proved to be cost-effective and simple to use in comparison to DFA and viral culture. Negative rapid test results should still be confirmed with a secondary test. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Although engagement is generally predictive of positive outcomes in technology-based behavioral change interventions, engagement measures remain largely atheoretical and lack treatment-specificity. This study examines the extent to which adherence measures based on the underlying behavioral change theory of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) app for smoking cessation predict smoking outcomes, and user characteristics associated with adherence.Methods: Study sample was adult daily smokers in a single arm pilot study (n=84). Using the app's log file data, we examined measures of adherence to four key components of the ACT behavior change model as predictors of smoking cessation and reduction. We also examined baseline user characteristics associated with adherence measures that predict smoking cessation.Results: Fully adherent users (24%) were over four times more likely to quit smoking (OR=4.45; 95% CI=1.13, 17.45; p=0.032). Both an increase in tracking the number of urges passed (OR=1.02; 95% CI=1.00, 1.03; p=0.043) and ACT modules completed (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.01, 1.60; p=0.042) predicted cessation. Lower baseline acceptance of cravings was associated with over four times higher odds of full adherence (OR=4.59; 95% CI=1.35, 15.54; p=0.014).Conclusions: Full adherence and use of specific ACT theory-based components of the app predicted quitting. Consistent with ACT theory, users with low acceptance were most likely to adhere to the app. Further research is needed on ways to promote app engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current study seeks to elucidate a biological mechanism which may mediate neuroinflammation, and decreases in both blood–brain barrier stability and neuron viability at the intracortical microelectrode-tissue interface. Here, we have focused on the role of pro-inflammatory reactive oxygen species. Specifically, adult rats implanted within intracortical microelectrodes were systemically administered the anti-oxidant, resveratrol, both the day before and the day of surgery. Animals were sacrificed at two or four weeks post-implantation for histological analysis of the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses to the microelectrode. At two weeks post-implantation, we found animals treated with resveratrol demonstrated suppression of reactive oxygen species accumulation and blood–brain barrier instability, accompanied with increased density of neurons at the intracortical microelectrode-tissue interface. Four weeks post-implantation, animals treated with resveratrol exhibited indistinguishable levels of markers for reactive oxygen species and neuronal nuclei density in comparison to untreated control animals. However, of the neurons that remained, resveratrol treated animals were seen to display reductions in the density of degenerative neurons compared to control animals at both two and four weeks post-implantation. Initial mechanistic evaluation suggested the roles of both anti-oxidative enzymes and toll-like receptor 4 expression in facilitating microglia activation and the propagation of neurodegenerative inflammatory pathways. Collectively, our data suggests that short-term attenuation of reactive oxygen species accumulation and blood–brain barrier instability can result in prolonged improvements in neuronal viability around implanted intracortical microelectrodes, while also identifying potential therapeutic targets to reduce chronic intracortical microelectrode-mediated neurodegeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction La prescription des examens complémentaires pré-interventionnels systématiques répond à des recommandations actualisées en France en 2012 [1] . Elles rappellent l’inutilité du bilan biologique pré-opératoire systématique en cas d’intervention à faible risque. Dans les pays en voie de développement (PVD), des examens biologiques simples pourraient aider au diagnostic d’une pathologie difficile à suspecter à l’interrogatoire ou à l’examen clinique, et influençant la prise en charge péri-opératoire. Nous avons recueilli les résultats d’examens prescrits systématiquement au cours de consultations d’anesthésie réalisées au sein d’une antenne chirurgicale située à Abidjan, en Côte d’Ivoire. Matériel et méthodes Il était proposé aux patients au cours de la consultation la réalisation systématique d’un bilan pré-opératoire comprenant un hémogramme et un dépistage du VIH par un test de diagnostic rapide (test INSTI VIH-1/VIH-2 ® ), après consentement éclairé. En cas d’anomalie du bilan pré-opératoire, le patient était revu par l’anesthésiste. En cas de positivité du dépistage VIH, le patient était référé vers un service médical adapté. Résultats Sur une période de 6 mois, 201 patients ont été vus en consultation d’anesthésie (58 % pour une chirurgie viscérale, 18,5 % pour une chirurgie orthopédique). Le taux d’hémoglobine (hb) moyen était de 12,7 g/dL (± 2,3), le taux de globules blancs de 5,6 G/L (± 1,5), et le taux de plaquettes de 254 G/L (± 110). Une anémie était retrouvée chez 29 % des patients (10 % avec un taux d’hb inférieur à 10 g/dL). Parmi les patients, 8,3 % étaient positifs pour le VIH. Il n’y avait pas de différence en termes d’âge, de sexe, de taux de globules blancs, de lymphocytes, de plaquettes entre les patients VIH positifs et négatifs. Le taux d’hb était significativement plus bas chez les patients VIH positifs (hb = 10,7 g/dL versus 13 g/dL). Discussion La consultation d’anesthésie dans les PVD est parfois difficile à cause de la barrière de la langue, du peu de dépistage précoce des pathologies, et d’un accès aléatoire aux examens. Ces facteurs peuvent contribuer à la survenue de complications péri-opératoires, parfois fréquentes [2] . Dans notre étude, la réalisation systématique de l’hémogramme a permis de dépister une anémie chez 29 % des patients, sévère chez 10 % d’entre eux. Le dépistage de l’infection à VIH est à considérer dans un pays où l’infection est endémique, sous réserve de l’accord du patient. En effet, ces patients seraient plus à risque de complications post-opératoires, et ces complications seraient corrélées au taux de lymphocytes CD4 et à la charge virale [3] . Le taux d’infection à VIH que nous avons observé est de 8,3 %, taux proche de ceux déjà rapportés dans des populations rurales de Côte d’Ivoire. Nos résultats montrent que la réalisation systématique d’un bilan biologique simple peut aider au diagnostic d’un état susceptible d’influer sur la prise en charge péri-opératoire dans un pays à ressources limitées comme la Côte d’Ivoire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with burn injuries. We performed a 6-year antibiotic susceptibility records review from January 2003 to December 2008 to assess the prevalence of MDR isolates by pathogen at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center. During the study period Acinetobacter baumannii (780 isolates [22%]) was the most prevalent organism recovered, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (703 isolates [20%]), Klebsiella pneumoniae (695 isolates [20%]), and Staphylococcus aureus (469 isolates [13%]). MDR prevalence rates among these isolates were A. baumannii 53%, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) 34%, K. pneumoniae 17% and P. aeruginosa 15%. Two isolates, 1 A. baumannii and 1 P. aeruginosa, were identified as resistant to all 4 classes of antibiotics tested plus colistin. A. baumannii isolates recovered from patients with burns greater than 30% of total body surface area (TBSA) were more likely to be MDR (61%) with no significant difference for P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. A higher proportion of MDR P. aeruginosa isolates were recovered from respiratory specimens compared to blood specimens (24% vs. 9%) while the opposite was true for MRSA (35% vs. 54%). A comparison of A. baumannii recovered during hospitalization days 1–5 and 15–30 revealed higher MDR levels as length of stay increased (48% vs. 75%) while no significant trends were observed for P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. A similar pattern was observed for MDR A. baumannii levels for the facility between 2003 and 2005 and 2006–2008 (39% vs. 70%), with no significant increase in MDR P. aeruginosa and MDR K. pneumoniae. Increasing antibiotic resistance patterns of the most prevalent isolates recovered during extended hospitalization, impact of % TBSA and other clinical parameters may affect empirical antimicrobial therapy and patient management decisions during treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Considerable advancements in shock resuscitation and wound management have extended the survival of burned patients, increasing the risk of serious infection. We performed a 6-year review of bacteria identification and antibiotic susceptibility records at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center between January 2003 and December 2008. The primary goal was to identify the bacteria recovered from patients with severe burns and determine how the bacteriology changes during extended hospitalization as influenced by population and burn severity. A total of 460 patients were admitted to the burn ICU with 3507 bacteria recovered from 13,727 bacteriology cultures performed. The most prevalent organisms recovered were Acinetobacter baumannii (780), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (703), Klebsiella pneumoniae (695) and Staphylococcus aureus (469). A. baumannii was most often recovered from combat-injured (58%) and S. aureus the most frequent isolate from local (46%) burn patients. Culture recovery rate of A. baumannii and S. aureus was highest during the first 15 hospital days (73% and 71%); while a majority of P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae were recovered after day 15 (63% and 53%). All 4 pathogens were recovered throughout the course of hospitalization. A. baumannii was the most prevalent pathogen recovered from patients with total body surface area (TBSA) burns less than 30% (203) and 30–60% (338) while P. aeruginosa was most prevalent in patients with burns greater than 60% TBSA (292). Shifting epidemiology of bacteria recovered during extended hospitalization, bacteriology differences between combat-injured and local burn patients, and impact of % TBSA may affect patient management decisions during the course of therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is growing interest among the public in farm animal welfare and a need for methods to assess animal welfare on farm. A survey on calf rearing practices that might affect dairy calf welfare was performed via a 1-h interview on 115 dairy farms (mean ± SD: herd size = 52.5 ± 20.9 cows; milk production = 8,697 ± 1,153 L) distributed throughout the province of Quebec. Despite frequent recommendations, many dairy producers continue to use management practices that increase the health risks of milk-fed calves. Major risk factors for poor calf welfare identified were 1) no use of calving pen in 51.3% of herds and low level of surveillance of calvings, especially at nighttime (once every 12 h), 2) no disinfection of newborn's navel in 36.8% of herds, and delayed identification and, hence, calf monitoring (3 d), 3) 15.6% of farms relied on the dam to provide colostrum and none checked colostrum quality or passive transfer of immunity, 4) dehorning and removal of extra teats proceeded at late ages (6.4 wk and 6.7 mo, respectively) and without adequate pain control, 5) use of traditional restrictive milk feeding and waste milk distributed to unweaned calves without precaution in 48.2% of herds, 6) abrupt weaning performed in 16.5% of herds, and 7) calves housed individually in 87.9% of herds, and most inappropriate housing systems (crate = 27.0%, tie-stall = 13.9%, attached against a wall = 5.7%) remained. This risk factor assessment was the first step in an intervention strategy to improve calf welfare on dairy farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic routes to new C–B–N-containing mesophase materials from borazarene-type precursors have been explored. Such mesophases have the potential for forming C/BN alloys which could be processed in analogous ways to carbonaceous mesophases, e.g. into cokes, fibres and composites. Carbon–boron–nitrogen-based mesophase pitches have been generated at ambient pressure by pyrolysis of borazarenes in the presence of AlCl3. The AlCl3 is essential for mesophase formation in these systems. Pyrolyses of 10-chloro-9-aza-10-boraphenanthrene and 2,2′-bis(dichloroborylamino)biphenyl have both yielded black, optically anisotropic pitches. These precursors form C/BN ceramic alloys which are turbostratic following heat treatment to 1000 °C. The alloys show a clear advantage in terms of their oxidation resistance, compared with that of carbon derived from naphthalene mesophase pitch, despite contamination with AlCl3, which probably catalyses their oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To evaluate the impact of an 8-week community-based nutrition education program combined with food baskets on fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) among Latinos. Design Pre-post intervention study assessing perceived barriers, knowledge, food efficacy, food outcomes, and FVC, using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative). Setting Participants' recruitment and data collection took place in the Seattle Metropolitan area from September 2012 to July 2013. Participants Participants' (n = 40) mean age was 37.8 (±10.5) years. Participants were mostly women, from Mexico, uninsured, low income, and overweight or obese. Intervention Nuestras Comidas was developed through the use of the Social Cognitive Theory and focused on increasing behavioral capability, food efficacy, food outcomes, and FVC. Main Outcome Measure Dependent variables were knowledge, perceived barriers, food efficacy, food outcomes, and FVC. Independent variable was the intervention (pre-post). Statistical Analyses A McNemar exact test was computed for categorical variables and Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t test for continuous variables. Focus group data were analyzed by identifying common themes. Results Participation in the intervention was significantly associated with increased knowledge, food efficacy, and vegetable consumption. Conclusions and Implications A brief nutrition education intervention combined with food baskets can improve healthy eating among Latinos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]