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This study examined the relationship between gender, illicit drug use and age of onset of psychosis. We analysed data from an epidemiologically based cohort of 160 subjects with first-episode psychosis from community mental health centers. Cannabis was associated with an earlier onset of psychosis compared to other drugs, especially among women.

This paper addresses gender equality in Cuba, tracing its development from the days of the revolution to present day with an emphasis on women working in the field of law. This article is being published by the Florida Bar International Law Section Journal for its Spring 2016 edition, and is presently under editorial review.

Background Early cannabis use has consistently been associated with an increased risk for the later development of psychosis. Studies suggest that Conduct Disorder (CD) is more common amongst young people who later go on to develop psychosis. CD has been associated with greater and earlier cannabis use in general population samples. Based on this evidence, we hypothesised that among patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis, the presence of CD symptoms prior to age 15 would be associated with cannabis use. Method 102 patients experiencing a first episode of psychosis were interviewed to assess CD symptoms prior to age 15 and use of cannabis and other substances. Results The number of CD symptoms was significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use (odds ratio = 5.41 (1.76–16.57), p = 0.03) and with first use of cannabis before age 14 (odds ratio = 1.46 (1.12–1.92), p = 0.006), after controlling for stimulant/hallucinogen use and level of education. Conclusions Among patients experiencing a first episode of psychosis, CD symptoms were significantly associated with use of cannabis and with use by age 14. Among individuals vulnerable for psychosis, CD symptoms may independently increase the likelihood of cannabis use which in turn increases the risk of psychosis.

This paper addresses international dispute resolution in Cuba, including bilateral investment treaties, international arbitration and enforcement through the New York Convention of 1958. There are examples of dispute resolutions with foreign investors and joint venture partners that highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and alternative dispute resolution in Cuba.

This paper provides risk/reward evaluation and legal analysis of foreign investing under Cuban Law No. 118 (2014). Section I addresses dynamic changes in Cuba since 2008. Section II examines reforms of Cuban foreign investment laws. Section III explores investment options such as import/export, licensing, franchising, and foreign direct investments. There is also a discussion of Cuban currency, acceptable modes of foreign direct investing currently available in Cuba, and real estate development. Section IV pertains to dispute resolution. Section V concentrates on U.S. – Cuba relations. Section VI presents the American investor with legally permissible opportunities.

In recent years several clinical and research findings have demonstrated the involvement of the presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders which are known as synucleinopathies. Although the function of this protein in the physiology of the cell remains unknown, it is evident that both genetic alterations or a mere overexpression of the native molecule produces a degeneration of nigral dopamine-containing neurons leading to movement disorders, as demonstrated in inherited Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we investigated whether widely abused drugs such as methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), which are known to damage the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway of mice, increase the expression of alpha-synuclein within dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. The results of this study demonstrate that nigrostriatal dopamine denervation and occurrence of intracellular inclusions in nigral neurons produced by amphetamine derivatives are related to increased expression of alpha-synuclein within dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra. This lends substance to the hypothesis that increased amounts of native alpha-synuclein may be per se a detrimental factor for the dopamine neurons.

Recently, we described the occurrence of a dehydroascorbate reductase within the rat CNS. This enzyme regenerates ascorbate after it is oxidized during normal aerobic metabolism. In this work, we describe the neuronal compartmentalization of the enzyme, using transmission electron microscopy of those brain areas in which the enzyme was most densely present when observed under light microscopy. In parallel biochemical studies, we performed immunoblotting and measured the enzyme activity of the cytoplasm and different nuclear fractions. Given the abundance of ascorbate in the caudate–putamen, we focused mostly on the occurrence of dehydroascorbate reductase at the striatal subcellular level. We also studied cerebellar Purkinje cells, hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells and giant neurons in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus. In addition to neurons, immunolabeling was found in striatal endothelial cells, in the basal membrane of blood vessels and in perivascular astrocytes. In neuronal cytosol, the enzyme was observed in a peri-nuclear position and on the nuclear membrane. In addition, in both the striatum and the cerebellum, we found the enzyme within myelin sheets. Dehydroascorbate reductase was also present in the nucleus of neurons, as further indicated by measuring enzyme activity and by immunoblotting selected nuclear fractions. Immunocytochemical labeling confirmed that the protein was present in isolated pure nuclear fractions. Given the great amount of free radicals which are constantly generated in the CNS, the discovery of a new enzyme with antioxidant properties which translocates into neuronal nuclei appears to be a potential starting point to develop alternative strategies in neuroprotection.

Adult male albino rats received 18 mg/kg i.p. of suramin twice a week, comparable to the human therapeutic situation. Sacrifices took place after 30 and 60 days of treatment. Adrenal cortex and major salivary glands were examined, using morphological and histochemical methods, in order to obtain a) confirmation of adrenocortical damage reported previously and b) original data for the major salivary glands. In rats the submaxillary gland in particular has already been found to be closely related to the functional conditions of the adrenal cortex. In all organs examined, alterations already evident in 30 day-treated rats, were constantly more marked and widespread in 60 day-treated animals. At the end of the treatment the adrenal cortex showed morphological (poor differentiation of the zona glomerulosa, hypertrophic cell clusters in the zona fasciculata) and histochemical (different distribution of neutral lipids, cholesterol and delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) changes. Damage (vacuolizations, lymphocytic infiltrates) observed in major salivary glands was shown to be more marked and widespread in the submaxillary gland, confirming its functional dependence on adrenocortical activity.

A series of beta-chloroethylamines, structural hybrids of WB 4101, a competitive alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist, and phenoxybenzamine, an irreversible alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonist, has been synthesized and tested in isolated rat vas deferens alpha-adrenoreceptors. Although, for all compounds, apparent blocking potency and alpha 1-selectivity are quite similar to those of phenoxybenzamine, affinity values calculated by taking into account the actual concentration of aziridinium ion in solution, reveal that compounds bearing a 1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethyl moiety, display a significantly higher potency for both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors than compounds having a benzyl group. In addition, two of the compounds, having both methyl and methoxy groups in their structure, show a marked discontinuity in the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor concentration-inhibition curve, with a plateau in the range 30-100 nM. Stereochemical aspects are also shown to play an important role in the binding. The biological results suggest that the two irreversible antagonists may be able to discriminate between two alpha 1-adrenoreceptor subtypes, which are both involved in the noradrenaline-induced contraction of the epididymal portion of rat vas deferens.

Summary The synthesis of selected 4-[4-(phenoxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-3(2 H )-pyridazinones and alkane-bridged dimers of 4-, 5- and 6-[4-(phenoxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-3(2 H )-pyridazinones is reported. The blocking activity of these compounds was determined on the pre- and postsynaptic α-adrenoreceptors of isolated rat vas deferons.

198 (45%) refused or could not be contacted, and 5 (1%) lacked capacity to consent. Again, there was no evidence of differences in age, gender and ethnicity by each of these outcomes. Information on course and outcome was obtained for over 80% of cases, with an average length of follow-up of 9.8 years (sd 2.4). In a preliminary indicative analyses of course type in an initial sub-sample of 251 (57%) of the 438 traced, 100 (40%) experienced an episodic course (i.e., no episode lasted more than 6 months), 97 (39%) experienced a continuous course (i.e., no period of remission lasting more than 6 months), and 54 (21%) experienced neither (i.e., at least one episode of 6+ months and at least one remission of 6+ months). Discussion: We have completed an extensive follow-up at 10 years of 553 cases with a first episode of psychosis. Initial analyses suggest there are no systematic biases in follow-up rates by age, gender and ethnicity. Preliminary analyses of course type, in line with previous research, suggest marked heterogeneity in clinical outcomes, with indications that a sizeable proportion experience one or more periods of remission of symptoms lasting at least 6 months.