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Introduction: Cannabis legalisation was enacted on 17 October 2018 in Canada. Accordingly, the effects of cannabis legalisation on patterns of cannabis consumption were examined among adolescents, including on cannabis initiation, any cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis dependence. Methods: Data from a biennial population‐based, cross‐sectional survey of students in Ontario were pooled in a pre‐post design (2001‐2019; N = 89,238). Participants provided self‐reports of cannabis initiation, any cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis dependence. Long‐term trends in these patterns of cannabis consumption over two decades of observation were characterised to provide a broader context of usage. The effects of cannabis legalisation on patterns of cannabis consumption were quantified using logistic regression analyses. Results: Long‐term trends over the two decades of observation indicated that cannabis initiation decreased and then increased (p = 0.0220), any cannabis use decreased and daily cannabis use decreased (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively) and cannabis dependence remained unchanged (p = 0.1187). However, in comparisons between the pre‐cannabis legalisation period (2001–2017) and the post‐cannabis legalisation period (2019), cannabis legalisation was not associated with cannabis initiation (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval 1.00; 0.79–1.27), but it was associated with an increased likelihood of any cannabis use (1.31; 1.12–1.53), daily cannabis use (1.40; 1.09–1.80) and cannabis dependence (1.98; 1.29–3.04). Discussion and Conclusions: Cannabis legalisation was not associated with cannabis initiation, but it was associated with an increased likelihood of any cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With changes in norms related to cannabis use and in the regulation of cannabis, understanding trends in cannabis use is important, especially differentiating between trends that affect cohorts of all ages similarly, versus trends that disproportionately affect a younger generation. The present study examined the age‐period‐cohort (APC) effects on monthly cannabis use among adults in Ontario, Canada over a 24‐year period. Methods: Data were utilised from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor Survey, an annual repeated cross‐sectional survey of adults 18 years of age and older. The present analyses focused on the 1996 to 2019 surveys, which employed a regionally stratified sampling design using computer‐assisted telephone interviews (N = 60,171). Monthly use of cannabis stratified by sex were examined. Results: There was about a five‐fold increase in monthly cannabis use from 1996 (3.1%) to 2019 (16.6%). The youngest adults use cannabis monthly more, but the patterns of monthly cannabis use appeared to be increasing among older adults. Adults born in the 1950s had higher prevalence of cannabis use (1.25 times more likely to use) compared to those born in 1964, with strongest period effect in 2019. The subgroup analysis of monthly cannabis use by sex showed little variation in APC effects. Discussion and Conclusions: There is a change in patterns of cannabis use among older adults and inclusion of birth cohort dimension improves the explanation of cannabis use trends. Adults in the 1950s birth cohort and increases in the normalisation of cannabis use could also be the key to explaining increasing monthly cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the widespread use of cannabis and opioids, examining the use of cannabis, opioids and their combination with serious psychological distress (SPD) is important. A total of N = 12,358 adults participating in the Monitor surveillance study between 2014 and 2019 were included. Cannabis and opioid use reflected any use of the substances in the past 12 months. SPD was defined as having a score of 13 or more on the Kessler‐6 questionnaire, a 6‐item scale that includes feeling nervous, hopeless, restless or fidgety, sad or depressed. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated from logistic regression models accounting for complex survey design and sociodemographic factors. Overall, 12.8% of the sample reported cannabis use only, 18% reported opioid use only, and 4.9% reported both cannabis and opioid use. Use of both cannabis and opioids was significantly associated with SPD in both women (OR = 4.24; 95% CI, 2.34 to 7.69), and in men (OR = 2.99; 95% CI, 1.56 to 5.73) compared to use of neither. The joint association of cannabis and opioids with SPD was additive. Addressing those who use both cannabis and opioids may help reduce the burden of SPD among adults in Ontario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) is a component of the shelterin complex of six subunits encoded by adrenocortical dysplasia protein homologue ( I ACD i ; also known as TPP1), I POT1 i , telomeric repeat binding factor 1 ( I TERF1 i ), telomeric repeat binding factor 2 ( I TERF2 i ), TERF1-interacting nuclear factor 2 ( I TINF2 i ) and TERF2 interacting protein ( I TERF2IP i ), which binds to single-stranded telomeric DNA to regulate telomere elongation and integrity.1 The telomerase and shelterin complexes play specific roles in telomere maintenance and prevention of activation of DNA damage response pathways at telomeres, by protecting single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) overhangs.1 Conserved oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) domains in I POT1 i recognise specific ssDNA motifs with high affinity and are required for I POT1 i function.1 Acquired and inherited variants in I POT1 i that alter these OB folds are associated with longer telomeres due to disruption of shelterin function.2 Rare germline pathogenic variants in I POT1 i predispose to chronic leucocyte leukaemia (CLL), glioma, angiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer and cutaneous melanoma (CM), collectively termed the POT1-tumour predisposition syndrome (POT1-TPDS; Fig 1). Proband II:1 was the only individual chosen for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) due to their extensive personal cancer history (MCC AUS244) to assess the burden of cancer risk alleles among individuals with multiple primary cancers. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Background: Spending time outdoor has been identified as an important way to achieve the physical activity required for maintaining and improving health and to lower sedentary time among young children. However, evidence of such relationships in adolescents is particularly limited. This study investigated the relationships between frequency of outdoor physical activity after school, compliance with the physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations, and overweight/obesity among adolescents. Methods: A total of 10 028 middle and high school students (mean age of 15.2 y) self‐reported the number of weekdays they spent physically active outdoors after school. Physical activity, screen time, sleep duration, height, and weight were self‐reported. Logistic regression models for the total sample and stratified by sex were adjusted for important covariates. Results: Overall, there was a positive gradient between the number of weekdays spent physically active outdoor after school and compliance with the physical activity (more than or equal to 60 min/day at moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity) and screen time (less than or equal to 2 h/day) recommendations while a negative gradient with overweight/obesity was observed. Significant sex differences were observed in the associations of outdoor physical activity after school with adherence to the sleep duration and physical activity recommendations. For example, outdoor physical activity after school on all 5 days was associated with greater odds of compliance with the sleep duration recommendation among males (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.31), but not females (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.65‐1.30). Conclusions: Results suggest that outdoor physical activity after school could be a behavioural target to increase compliance with the physical activity and screen time recommendations and to possibly tackle excess weight among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 1%–2% of cutaneous melanoma (CM) is classified as strongly familial. We sought to investigate unexplained CM predisposition in families negative for the known susceptibility genes using next‐generation sequencing of affected individuals. Segregation of germline variants of interest within families was assessed by Sanger sequencing. Several heterozygous variants in oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) genes: TYR, OCA2, TYRP1 and SLC45A2, were present in our CM cohort. OCA is a group of autosomal recessive genetic disorders, resulting in pigmentation defects of the eyes, hair and skin. Missense variants classified as pathogenic for OCA were present in multiple families and some fully segregated with CM. The functionally compromised TYR p.T373K variant was present in three unrelated families. In OCA2, known pathogenic variants: p.V443I and p.N489D, were present in three families and one family, respectively. We identified a likely pathogenic SLC45A2 frameshift variant that fully segregated with CM in a family of four cases. Another four‐case family harboured cosegregating variants (p.A24T and p.R153C) of uncertain functional significance in TYRP1. We conclude that rare, heterozygous variants in OCA genes confer moderate risk for CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examined the association between social media and sleep duration among Canadian students aged 11-20.Methods: Data from 5242 students were obtained from the 2015 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, a province-wide, school-based survey that has been conducted every two years since 1977. We measured the respondents' sleep duration against the recommended ranges of 9-11 h per night at 11-13 years of age, 8-10 h at 14-17 and 7-9 h per night for those aged 18 years or more.Results: Overall, 36.4% of students met or exceeded the recommended sleep duration and 63.6% slept less than recommended, with 73.4% of students reporting that they used social media for at least one hour per day. After adjusting for various covariates, the use of social media was associated with greater odds of short sleep duration in a dose-response manner (p for linear trend <0.001). Odds ratios ranged from 1.82 for social media use of at least one hour per day to 2.98 for at least five hours per day.Conclusion: Greater use of social media was associated with shorter sleep duration in a dose-response fashion among Canadian students aged 11-20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Little research has examined the relationship between incentives used by gambling venues to attract customers and the experience of gambling-related harm. Organized and subsidized bus tours are a common example of such incentives. The aim of this study was to examine whether bus-tour patronage was associated with increased odds of problem gambling among older adults. This study also compared rates of bus-tour use by socio-demographic characteristics and gambling behaviours. Design Pearson's χ2 tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests were applied for bivariate analyses. Multivariate generalized mixed-effects regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between bus-tour patronage and problem gambling while controlling for possible confounding factors. Setting Seven gambling venues located in Central and Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Participants A total of 1978 gambling venue patrons over the age of 55 years. Measurements Problem gambling as indicated by the Problem Gambling Severity Index, bus-tour patronage in the 12 months prior to the survey, spending per gambling visit and past-month slot machine participation. Findings Regression analyses showed that bus-tour patronage was associated with higher odds of problem gambling [odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 2.76] after controlling for several demographic characteristics, type of gambling and gambling expenditures. Bivariate analyses showed past-year bus-tour patronage was associated with more frequent slot machine play (χ2 = 48.16, P < 0.001), more past-year gambling venue visits ( P < 0.001) and lower spending on gambling per casino visit ( P < 0.001). Compared with non-patrons, bus tour patrons were more likely to be female (χ2 = 21.92, P < 0.001), born outside Canada (χ2 = 113.18, P < 0.001), above the age of 75 (χ2 = 24.02, P < 0.001) and retired (χ2 = 16.60, P < 0.001). Conclusions When adjusting for potential confounders among older adults, using bus tours to access Canadian gambling venues is associated with increased risk of problem gambling. Bus-tour patrons are more likely to be female, born outside Canada and above the age of 75 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has increasingly identified the perception of school environment as an influential factor in children's lives. There has been sparse research attention, however, on the potential importance of parents' perceptions of school environment on child adjustment. This study examined the relationship between parents' perceptions of school environment and children's emotional and behavioral problems. Data were derived from the New Canadian Children and Youth Study, a study of the children (aged 4-6 and 11-13) of immigrant parents. Analyses focused on a subsample of Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, and Filipino immigrants in a large metropolitan area. Parental perception of school environment was negatively associated with physical aggression in children even after controlling for child age and gender, parental characteristics, family functioning, and aspects of acculturation. In contrast, parental perception was not significantly related to symptoms of emotional distress in children. There were some ethnic differences in perception of school environment. Parental perception of school environment is important to the well-being of the children of immigrant parents, and reinforces the relevance of initiatives to improve the dynamics between parents and schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions To report the clinicopathological features and epidemiology of iris melanoma in Queensland, Australia.This was a retrospective study of 86 patients with iris melanoma treated between 2001 and 2022 at the Queensland Ocular Oncology Service, Brisbane, Australia. Main outcome measures included demographics, clinical and phenotypic features, age‐adjusted incidence and relative survival.Eighty‐six patients (63% female) were included. Mean age was 54 years (range 17–82 years). The majority of patients (97%) were Caucasian, with blue eyes, fair skin and Fitzpatrick Skin Type I or II. Demographic features and clinical history showed a tendency for high ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in the cohort. Histopathology was available in 69 cases (82%), and of these, 77% tumours were of spindle cell origin, with low‐risk genetic profiles. Patients were followed for a mean of 8 years (median 7, range 1–21 years) after diagnosis, and only one case of metastasis was documented.The association of iris freckles, history of UVR exposure and dermatologic findings supports the role of UVR in iris melanoma. Occupation and avocation history, as well as evaluation of iris freckles may offer an easily accessible way of stratifying the risk of an individual for development of UVR‐related uveal melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]