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Byline: Shalini. Singh, Shiv. Prasad, Sushma. Bhatnagar, Rakesh. Lal, Nandan. Choudhary, Malvinder. Sahi Context: Inadequate training of medical practitioners is a key factor responsible for inappropriate use of opioid analgesics. [...]

Introduction: All the resources that catalyze this recovery are known as recovery capital. This study aims at finding out the correlates which help increase the recovery capital of an individual and the extent to which it can affect them. Methodology: Along with sociodemographic and clinical variables, we assessed recovery capital (Assessment of Recovery Capital [ARC] Scale), religiosity (Duke University Religion Index), spirituality (Daily Spiritual Experience Scale), Coping (Coping Strategies Inventory-short form), social support (Social Support Questionnaire), subjective happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale) of patients diagnosed with Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS group), and Opioid dependence syndrome (ODS group) who were currently not having withdrawal symptoms. Results: A total of 111 individuals were screened, of which 49 in the ODS group and 30 in the ADS group met the selection criteria. The majority of the individuals in both groups were married, belonged to urban areas, practiced Hinduism, and lived in nuclear families. There was a significant difference between the educational status, the religion practiced, the age of onset of dependence, the severity of dependence, and the duration of abstinence between the ADS and ODS groups. Better social support (P = 0.029), higher emotion-focused coping (P < 0.001), and higher engagement (P = 0.001) in ADS, while the pattern of disengagement (P = 0.003) was found higher in the ODS group. Other correlates were comparable in both groups. Recovery (ARC) has a moderate correlation with social support in both groups (ODS-rho = 0.424, P = 0.002 and ADS rho = 0.695, P < 0.001). Furthermore, in the ADS group, a moderate correlation was seen between emotion-focused engagement, problem-focused engagement, and coping skills. While in ODS individuals, a weak correlation of recovery capital was observed with organizational religious activity and emotion-focused engagement, emotion-focused disengagement coping skills. Discussion and Conclusions: The results of our study reveal that social support emerged as the important factor common in both groups, which suggests that it should be the key area of psychosocial interventions in both disorders. A focus on enhancing coping styles and increasing other lifestyle factors can help sustain this path for longer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principle of the dnaSET, a novel device for single-molecule sequence analysis of DNA strands, were developed and analyzed. The variations in current were measured through a single electron transistor (SET) as a target DNA molecule slithers through a nanoeye integrated between the SET's floating island and gate.

Research involving high-field effects in GaN MODFETs is described.

Background: Pattern of drinking has a strong bearing on alcohol-related negative consequences. Very few studies from India have assessed this relationship using any standardized instrument. Aim: The current study aims to assess the relationship between pattern of alcohol use and negative consequences among problem alcohol users using a standardized instrument. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study using snowball sampling technique was conducted among 75 participants in an urban slum of a metropolitan city of India. Screening of the participants was done by the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO-ASSIST). Alcohol use details and alcohol-related adverse consequences were obtained by a semi-structured questionnaire and Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC) inventory, respectively. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regression test were used to analyze the data. Results: There was a significant association between high total DrInC score and ≥3 subscale scores with employment status, percentage of total family income spent on alcohol, source of income to procure alcohol, amount of alcohol, morning drinking, alcohol use for relaxation, and drinking throughout the day (Chi-square test). Age ≤35 years, current unemployment/part-time employment state, spending ≥25% of total family income on alcohol, family history, and drinking throughout the day were more likely to have high total DrInC score and ≥2 subscale scores (logistic regression analysis). Conclusion: A large proportion of the participants were suffering significantly from alcohol-related consequences but still were not receiving any treatment. It emphasizes the need for more epidemiological studies in this area for its treatment and policy-level implication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Certain limitations of the existing opioid substitution therapies necessitate exploration of other options for maintenance of patients with opioid dependence. This study aimed to present the experience of use of tramadol for long-term treatment of patients with opioid dependence. Methods: This was a cross-sectional interview-based observational study conducted in Uttar Pradesh state in India. Patients with opioid dependence who received oral tramadol treatment for a period of more than 6 months were recruited. Outcome was assessed in terms of self-reported abstinence on tramadol. Results: A total of 102 participants were recruited in the study, with a mean age of 41.3 years. All the participants were males. Abstinence to extraneous opioids was reported by 58.8% of the sample, and the median dose of tramadol at which abstinence was achieved was 350 mg/d. Those who reported to be taking natural opioids (raw opium or poppy husk) at the time of seeking treatment had higher rates of achieving abstinence. Conclusions: Tramadol may be a possible option for the maintenance treatment among some opioid-dependent individuals. Further studies are required to establish its efficacy vis-à-vis other medications used in opioid substitution treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Impact of alcohol on various adverse consequences is also determined by the pattern of consumption. Pattern of drinking from developing countries is an under-researched area. The present study aims to assess the pattern of drinking among nontreatment-seeking problem alcohol users from an urban slum in a metropolitan city of North India. Methodology: Using a cross-sectional study design and employing the snowball method, 75 adult males with problem alcohol use were recruited and interviewed using questionnaire and standard instruments. Results: The median duration of alcohol consumption was 12 (7, 21) years, 90% were drinking daily, 64% were morning drinkers and 92% reported heavy episodic drinking (HED). Three-fourth participants were in the high-risk category of alcohol use as assessed by WHO-ASSIST. One-third were spending 25–50% of their family income on alcohol. The most preferred alcohol beverage was country-made liquor (CML; 54.3%). Most alcohol users preferred drinking at home (58%), alone (67%), in evening or at night (80%). Conclusion: Although many alcohol users consume alcohol in amounts much above the recommended levels, with high rates of HED, they are not on treatment for alcohol-use disorder. Their pattern of alcohol consumption is likely to place them at risk for alcohol-related harmful consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]