Search

BackgroundThere is a paucity of literature describing experiences and journey of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) and supporters who care for them. The aim of this study was to understand and document the journey of individuals with current CUD, those in CUD remission, and supporters.MethodsThe online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum. After completing a 15-minute screening questionnaire determining eligibility, individuals in CUD remission and supporters participated in an OBB for 60 minutes, split across 8 days over 2 weeks. Individuals with current CUD participated in a one-time virtual focus group discussion for 90 minutes.ResultsIndividuals in CUD remission (n=35) were from Brazil, France, Spain, the UK, and the US; those with current CUD (n=5) and supporters (n=6) were from the US. Key insights were that individuals with current CUD were seeking a ‘euphoric high’ that cocaine provides. Those in CUD remission described a ‘euphoric high’ when they first tried cocaine, but over time it became harder to re-create this feeling. Individuals in CUD remission expressed a ‘rollercoaster’ of emotions from when they first started using cocaine to when they stopped. Supporters were sad, isolated, and worried about a potential cocaine overdose for their loved ones with CUD.ConclusionThe study provides valuable insights into the experiences and journey of individuals with CUD and their supporters. Data generated from this study gives insights into this under-served and growing population.

BackgroundCocaine use disorder (CUD) is characterized by the continued use of cocaine despite serious impacts on life. This study focused on understanding the perspective of individuals with current CUD, individuals in CUD remission, and their supporters regarding current therapies, future therapies, and views on clinical trials for CUD.MethodsThe online bulletin board (OBB) is a qualitative tool where participants engage in an interactive discussion on a virtual forum. Following completion of a screening questionnaire to determine eligibility, individuals in CUD remission and their supporters logged in to the OBB and responded to questions posed by the moderator. Individuals with current CUD participated in a one-time virtual focus group.ResultsAll individuals with current CUD and 94% of those in CUD remission reported a diagnosis consistent with CUD or substance use disorder during screening. Individuals with current CUD and their supporters were recruited from the United States (US). Individuals in CUD remission were recruited from five countries, including the US. Individuals with current CUD reported hesitation about seeking treatment due to stigma, a lack of privacy, and being labeled as a drug seeker; barriers to therapy included time, cost, and a lack of privacy. Participants wanted a safe therapy to stop cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Seven clinical trial outcomes, including long-term abstinence and craving control, were suggested based on collected insights.ConclusionThis study can help inform the design of clinical trials and emphasize the need for effective, safe, and accessible therapies. Recruiting participants will require significant trust building.

The butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) is a plant species that is commonly used in culinary products, as it adds a natural purplish-blue tint to dishes without artificial food colourings and is rich in antioxidants. In this study, glycerol was employed as an extraction solvent for the extraction of phenolic compounds from C. ternatea. Several studies have proven glycerol is an ideal green solvent to replace conventional solvents such as ethanol and methanol due to its ability to change the water polarity, thereby improving the extraction of bioactive compounds and recovering the polyphenols from natural products. We systematically reviewed the phytochemical content and antioxidant properties of aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of C. ternatea as a comparison to our study. Our results show that glycerol extract (GE) and glycerol/water extract (GWE) have demonstrated high phenolic and flavonoid profiles as compared to ethanol extract (EE) and water extract (WE). This study suggests glycerol as a promising extraction medium to extract higher concentrations of phytochemical contents from C. ternatea. It could be used as a natural source of antioxidant boosters, particularly in food preparation and cosmeceutical product development.

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in females and disease recurrence remains a significant problem. To prevent recurrence, tamoxifen is prescribed for at least 5 years. However, among patients who receive tamoxifen, individual responses are highly variable. These responses are affected by the type, frequency, and severity of endocrine symptoms, as well as adherence rates. Polymorphisms in genes involved in the metabolism of tamoxifen (ie, CYP3A4, CYP2D6) may influence responses to tamoxifen. In this study, the inter-relationships among endocrine symptoms, drug adherence, and genetic polymorphisms in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen therapy will be examined. We hypothesize that patients with more severe endocrine symptoms will be less likely to adhere to tamoxifen treatment. In addition, we hypothesize that a relationship will exist between the severity of tamoxifen-induced symptoms and allelic variations in tamoxifen metabolism-related genes. Although many association studies have determined that select genotypes influence the efficacy of tamoxifen, very few studies have investigated for associations between tamoxifen-induced endocrine symptoms and these polymorphisms.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterize genetic polymorphisms in tamoxifen metabolism-associated genes in Chinese women with breast cancer and to explore the inter-relationships between genetic polymorphisms, endocrine symptoms, and adherence to tamoxifen.MethodWe will conduct a prospective cohort study that follows 200 Chinese women over 18 months and assess treatment-related symptoms and genetic variations. Endocrine symptoms and drug adherence will be determined through interview-administered standardized questionnaires. Polymorphisms in drug metabolism genes will be determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction based genotyping method. Data will be analyzed to determine associations between allelic variations, endocrine symptoms, and adherence.DiscussionThe proposed study will evaluate for polymorphisms in gene(s) that are associated with tamoxifen-related endocrine symptoms and adherence with tamoxifen. We will explore the relationships between genotypes, endocrine symptoms, and drug adherence in Chinese breast cancer patients. Findings from this study may assist clinicians to identify patients at higher risk for a worse symptom experience and lower adherence rates and enable them to initiate appropriate interventions. In the long term, the findings from this study may be used to develop and test tailored symptom management interventions for these patients.

Abstract Sexual dysfunction, which is defined as ‘difficulty during any stage of the sexual encounter that prevents or impairs the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity’, is globally prevalent in males with prediabetes and diabetes. It is an early harbinger of cardiovascular diseases and has a profound impact on one's physical, mental, and social health. Among patients with either prediabetes or diabetes, the most common male sexual dysfunctions are hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. In Asia, although sexual health is an important factor of men's health, it is rarely discussed freely in real‐life practice. Addressing sexual health in Asian males has always been challenging with multiple barriers at the levels of patients and health care providers. Therefore, the assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in routine clinical practice should involve a holistic approach with effective patient–provider communication. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and the management of hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation among males with either prediabetes or diabetes (type 1 and type 2), as well as the evidence gaps across Asia.

Preschool should promote children’s well-being and development, but the indoor sound environment is commonly problematic. The aim of our research project Supportive Preschool ACoustic Environment (SPACE) is to identify acoustic quality factors resulting in a supportive sound environment for children. This paper presents the first phase of the project where acoustic conditions were measured in unoccupied preschool rooms and analysed in terms of reverberation time, early decay time, sound strength, speech clarity, unoccupied sound pressure levels, and several room features. The results were compared with current target values, building year, and socioeconomic status of the preschool. A child perspective on room acoustics was, in addition, applied and it was revealed that children may be exposed to a lower sound strength than adults, and that adults may have better speech intelligibility conditions than children. Rooms in newer buildings had a longer reverberation time in the 125 Hz band, lower unoccupied levels, and lower sound strength. These differences could be explained by the trend towards larger rooms and porous acoustic ceilings in newer buildings. We found no significant correlations with the socioeconomic status. Ongoing work will facilitate an analysis of the correlation between the room acoustic parameters, the sound environment and children’s perception.

Approaches to learning and teaching have been undergoing massive changes. Technology has enabled many innovations while other methods have embedded authentic research approaches or looked to other disciplines. The tools in education session of the conference looked at tools being used to teach biochemistry and molecular biology ranging from online platforms, authentic research experiences to the use of music. [Paper presented at the joint International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Education Conference and Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) Annual Convention (46th) (Manila City, Philippines, Nov 13-15, 2019).]

Vocabulary knowledge was tested in a native (Cantonese-Chinese) and foreign (English) language in 150 twins and 150 singletons aged 6-11 years, matched on age, gender, grade level, nonverbal intelligence, parents' education, family income, and number of siblings and household members. The singletons clearly outperformed the twins on the native vocabulary, but this "twinning effect" was much less noticeable for the foreign vocabulary. The effect on English vocabulary was further reduced after exposure to English at home was controlled. Given that these participants learned most of their English in school rather than home, the present findings support the notion that the twinning effect is associated with increased competition for family interaction in twins compared with singletons.

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels and perceived barriers towards healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia. Methods: Adults aged 18-25 years reside in Malaysia were recruited via convenience sampling. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical knowledge on hypertension (K1), knowledge (K), attitude (A), practice (P) and perceived barriers in practising healthy living to prevent hypertension were assessed. Average scores were categorised into good (80%-100%), upper-moderate (70%-79%), lower-moderate (60%-69%) and poor (

BackgroundSkill competency assessments induce stress and anxiety and may affect nursing student performance. Little is known about stress and perceived anxiety levels and their relationship in the mock skill competency assessment.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the stress levels (as assessed by heart rate variability, HRV) and perceived anxiety before, during and after the mock skill competency assessment, and to explore their relationships to performance in a total of ninety first-year undergraduate nursing students.ResultsThe HRV decreased significantly during the assessment and increased significantly 10 min after the assessment (p < 0.01). Higher performers showed significantly lower HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.01). The assessment score was negatively correlated with HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.05).ConclusionsConsidering assessment-related stress and anxiety through a mock assessment prior to the actual skill assessment provides implications for future nursing education.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to explore and describe how workers in communication-intense workplaces in health care and preschools experience the sound environment. The dependence on vocal communication and social interaction poses a challenge using hearing protection in these working environments.MethodA qualitative method was used, more specifically inductive thematic analysis was used, as this approach was deemed suitable to explore the staff's experiences of the sound environment. Data were collected by interviews and to increase trustworthiness, several researchers were involved in the data collection and analysis.Study sampleWorkers from two preschools, one obstetrics ward and one intensive care unit took part in the study.ResultsFour main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: A challenging and harmful sound environment; Health-related effects of a challenging and harmful sound environment; A good sound environment is not prioritised; and Resourceful and motivated staff.ConclusionsWorkers in communication-intense workplaces in preschools, obstetrics care and intensive care reported that there was a relationship between the sound environment and negative health effects. In addition, the results suggests that the high motivation for change among staff should be utilised together with an increased prioritization from the management to reach innovative context specific improvements to the sound environment in communication intense working environments.