Opioid abuse and depression in adolescents: Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Objective: To investigate the association of major depressive episode (MDE) with nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Methods: We analyzed 5 years of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). We used logistic regressions to study the relationship between MDE and NMPOU among all adolescents, as well as the relationship of MDE with opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents with NMPOU.

Medication costs to private insurers of diversion of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Background: The diversion of prescription stimulants for misuse, particularly those used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is potentially a significant problem for public health and for healthcare funding and delivery. Most prior research on the diversion of prescription stimulants for misuse, particularly those used in the treatment of ADHD, has focused on the 'end users' of diverted medications rather than the suppliers. Furthermore, little is known about the direct costs of diversion for third-party insurance payers in the US.

Stimulant formulation and motivation for nonmedical use of prescription attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications in a college-aged population.

There is relatively little research examining motives for nonmedical use (NMU) of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and predictors of motivation. We present results of a secondary analysis of an Internet-based epidemiological survey to explore the relationship between stimulant formulation and motivation for NMU of ADHD stimulant medications in a college-aged population. Demographic predictors of motivation to engage in NMU were also explored to investigate the potential correlates of recreational versus performance-enhancement motivations.

Estimated drug use based on direct questioning and open-ended questions: responses in the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Substance use surveys may use open-ended items to supplement questions about specific drugs and obtain more exhaustive information on illicit drug use. However these questions are likely to underestimate the prevalence of use of specific drugs. Little is known about the extent of such underestimation or the groups most prone to under-reporting.

Prevalence of nonmedical methamphetamine use in the United States.

Background: Illicit methamphetamine use continues to be a public health concern in the United States. The goal of the current study was to use a relatively inexpensive methodology to examine the prevalence and demographic correlates of nonmedical methamphetamine use in the United States.

Methods: The sample was obtained through an internet survey of noninstitutionalized adults (n = 4,297) aged 18 to 49 in the United States in 2005.

The nonmedical use of prescription ADHD medications: results from a national Internet panel.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that nonmedical use (NMU) of prescription attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications is rising, but many previous investigations have used clinical or regionally based samples or limited their investigations to stimulants rather than to medications specifically used to treat ADHD. Using an Internet-based epidemiological survey, this paper advances understanding of the prevalence and correlates of NMU of medications used to treat ADHD, sources of diverted medications, motivations for use, and consumption patterns.

Methods: The study used a self-administered Internet survey of civilian, noninstitutionalized adults (N = 4,297) aged 18 to 49 in the United States.

Risk and protective factors for methamphetamine use and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants among young adults aged 18 to 25.

This article reports on correlates of past-year nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and methamphetamine among young adults aged 18 to 25. Data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were used to conduct logistic regression analyses of the demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates of nonmedical stimulant use. The sample size was 23,645.

Risk and protective factors for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and methamphetamine among adolescents.

Purpose: This article reports on correlates of past-year nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and methamphetamine among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years.

Methods: Data from the 2002 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were used to conduct logistic regression analyses of the demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates of illicit stimulant use. The sample size was 17,709.

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in the United States.

Objective: This study estimated prevalences and correlates of stimulant diversion in the United States and examined relationships between diversion and measures of abuse or dependence.

Methods: We conducted descriptive and multivariate analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Key measures were nonmedical use (misuse) of any prescription stimulant, any stimulant other than methamphetamine, and stimulants indicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Deletion errors generated during replication of CAG repeats.

Triplet repeat sequence instability is associated with hereditary neurological diseases and with certain types of cancer. Here we study one form of this instability, deletion of triplet repeats during replication of template (CAG)(n)sequences by DNA polymerases. To monitor loss of triplet codons, we inserted (CAG)(9)and (CAG)(17)repeats into the lacZ sequence in M13mp2 and changed one repeat to a TAG codon to yield DNA substrates with colorless plaque phenotypes.

Effect of accessory proteins on T4 DNA polymerase replication fidelity.

The influence of replication accessory proteins on the fidelity of T4 DNA polymerase has been examined. Steady-state kinetic measurements showed that exonuclease-deficient T4 DNA polymerase, alone or with clamp loaders gp44/gp62 and polymerase clamp gp45, displays decreased binding affinity for incorrect as compared to correct dNTPs and a deceased kcat for misinsertion as compared to correct insertion. Kinetic constants were similar with and without accessory proteins, indicating that accessory proteins had little effect on misinsertion.

Issues in the linkage of alcohol and domestic violence services.

It is well established that alcohol is a risk factor for male against female domestic violence. Some evidence also suggests that some women victims of domestic violence develop substance abuse problems in response to their victimization. Although interpretations vary regarding the exact nature of the relationship of substance abuse and domestic violence offending and victimization, there is evidence that linking substance abuse and domestic violence services could have a positive impact on batterer cessation and victim support services.

Exonucleolytic proofreading during replication of repetitive DNA.

We are attempting to understand the processes required to accurately replicate the repetitive DNA sequences whose instability is associated with several human diseases. Here we test the hypothesis that the contribution of exonucleolytic proofreading to frameshift fidelity during replication of repetitive DNA sequences diminishes as the number of repeats in the sequence increases. The error rates of proofreading-proficient T7, T4, and Pyrococcus furiosis DNA polymerases are compared to their exonuclease-deficient derivatives, for +1 and -1 base errors in homopolymeric repeat sequences of three to eight base pairs.

Cigarette smoking in the U.S. military: findings from the 1992 Worldwide Survey.

Background: Using data from the military's Worldwide Survey series, this article presents findings on the prevalence of smoking among active-duty military personnel in 1992 and trends since 1980.

Methods: A stratified probability sampling design was used in the 1992 Worldwide Survey. Military installations worldwide were sampled, and then active-duty personnel within these installations were selected.

Detection of Alternaria allergens by Western blotting.

The technique of Western blotting (immunoblotting) is being increasingly recognized as a means of identifying and characterizing allergens in complex mixtures. Because the allergens are immobilized on nitrocellulose paper, they can be probed for binding of IgE from patients' sera. In addition, the blotting technique provides useful biochemical information, such as the molecular weight of the allergen being studied.

Monkey dander asthma.

We recently cared for two patients who experienced acute asthma with exposure to dander of the cotton top tamarin, a species of New World monkey. Both patients had serologic evidence for an IgE antibody to monkey dander as determined by RAST and a positive immediate skin test response to an extract prepared from monkey dander. Furthermore, by RAST we were able to determine that cotton top tamarin urine and newborn cotton top tamarin dander had antigens that reacted with IgE in the serum of the affected patients.