Prevalence of resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) in hepatitis C virus in the Former Soviet Union countries.

Objective: The emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) poses a significant challenge to the effective treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection using direct-acting antivirals. This study's objective was to observe the prevalence of HCV genotypes and RAS within the Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries.

Methods: We analysed 60 NS3, 313 NS5A and 1119 NS5B sequences of HCV deposited in open-access databases from 11 FSU countries for the prevalence of genotypes and the presence of RAS using the Geno2Pheno software.

Providers' knowledge and perception of xylazine in the unregulated drug supply: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study.

Background: Xylazine is increasingly prevalent in the unregulated opioid supply in the United States. Exposure to this adulterant can lead to significant harm, including prolonged sedation and necrotic wounds. In the absence of literature describing healthcare providers' experiences with treating patients who have been exposed to xylazine, we aimed to explore what gaps must be addressed to improve healthcare education and best practices.

How Should the Use of Opioids Be Regulated to Motivate Better Clinical Practice?

This article describes historical and political reasons for-and devastating consequences of-US opioid prescribing policy since the 1990s, which has restricted opioid prescribing for pain less than for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. This article considers merits and drawbacks of a new diagnostic category and proposes a regulatory and clinical framework for prescribing long-term opioid therapy for pain and for prescribing opioids to treat OUD.

Using qualitative system dynamics modeling to understand overdose bystander behavior in the context of Connecticut's Good Samaritan Laws and identify effective policy options.

Background: Good Samaritan Laws are a harm reduction policy intended to facilitate a reduction in fatal opioid overdoses by enabling bystanders, first responders, and health care providers to assist individuals experiencing an overdose without facing civil or criminal liability. However, Good Samaritan Laws may not be reaching their full impact in many communities due to a lack of knowledge of protections under these laws, distrust in law enforcement, and fear of legal consequences among potential bystanders. The purpose of this study was to develop a systems-level understanding of the factors influencing bystander responses to opioid overdose in the context of Connecticut's Good Samaritan Laws and identify high-leverage policies for improving opioid-related outcomes and implementation of these laws in Connecticut (CT).