Exploring the relationship of rurality and region: An analysis of adolescent marijuana use in the United States.

Marijuana use among adolescents and young adults has increased, however, there is a paucity of research concerning marijuana use among adolescents in rural areas. Current literature holds the assumption that adolescents in rural areas tend to use less marijuana and marijuana associated products compared with youth from urban and suburban areas. However, geographical features may contribute to unique stressors experienced by rural youth, resulting in distinct differences in usage that have been previously unexplored.

Alcohol Use Amongst Rural Adolescents and Young Adults: A Brief Review of the Literature.

The sociodevelopmental periods of adolescence and young adulthood are rife with alcohol use. However, much of the literature demonstrating this comes from 'traditional' settings and college campuses (i.e.

Comparison of Concurrent and Same-Day Balance Measurement Approaches in a Large Sample of Uninjured Collegiate Athletes.

Background: Measures of postural stability are useful in assisting the diagnosing and managing of athlete concussion. Error counting using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is the clinical standard, but has notable limitations. New technologies offer the potential to increase precision and optimize testing protocols; however, whether these devices enhance clinical assessment remains unclear.

Digital neuropsychological test performance in a large sample of uninjured collegiate athletes.

Digital neuropsychological test batteries are popular in college athletics; however, well-validated digital tests that are short and portable are needed to expand the feasibility of performing cognitive testing quickly, reliably, and outside standard clinical settings. This study assessed performance on digital versions of Trail Making Test (dTMT) and a modified Symbol Digit Modalities Test (dSDMT) in uninjured collegiate athletes ( = 537; 47% female) using the C3Logix baseline assessment module. Time to complete (dTMT) and the number of correct responses (dSDMT) were computed, transformed into scores, and compared to age-matched normative data from analogous paper-and-pencil tests.

Fos activation patterns related to acute ethanol and conditioned taste aversion in adolescent and adult rats.

Studies in rats have revealed marked age differences in sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol, with a developmental insensitivity to ethanol aversion that is most pronounced during pre- and early adolescence, declining thereafter to reach the enhanced aversive sensitivity of adults. The adolescent brain undergoes significant transitions throughout adolescence, including in regions linked with drug reward and aversion; however, it is unknown how ontogenetic changes within this reward/aversion circuitry contribute to developmental differences in aversive sensitivity. The current study examined early adolescent (postnatal day [P]28-30) and adult (P72-74) Sprague-Dawley male rats for conditioned taste aversion (CTA) after doses of 0, 1.

Oxytocin and vasopressin modulation of social anxiety following adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure.

Rationale: Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) produces lasting, sex-specific social anxiety-like alterations in male, but not female rats. Oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) brain systems play opposite roles in regulating social preference/avoidance, with OXT increasing approach to, and AVP increasing avoidance of social stimuli.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that social anxiety-like alterations seen in adult males after AIE are associated with a shift in the balance between OXT and AVP toward AVP, effectiveness of pharmacological activation of the OXT system and blockade of endogenous activity at AVP receptors for reversing AIE-induced social anxiety-like alterations was assessed, along with examination of the effects of AIE on OXT, vasopressin V1a, and V1b receptor (OXT-R, V1a-R, and V1b-R) surface expression in the hypothalamus.

The ontogeny of ethanol aversion.

Recent work has suggested separate developmental periods within the broader framework of adolescence, with data suggesting distinct alterations and vulnerabilities within these intervals. While previous research has suggested reduced sensitivity to the aversive effects of alcohol in adolescence relative to adults, a more detailed ontogeny of this effect has yet to be conducted. The adolescent brain undergoes significant transitions throughout adolescence, including in regions linked with drug reward and aversion.

Consequences of repeated ethanol exposure during early or late adolescence on conditioned taste aversions in rats.

Alcohol use is prevalent during adolescence, yet little is known about possible long-lasting consequences. Recent evidence suggests that adolescents are less sensitive than adults to ethanol's aversive effects, an insensitivity that may be retained into adulthood after repeated adolescent ethanol exposure. This study assessed whether intermittent ethanol exposure during early or late adolescence (early-AIE or late-AIE, respectively) would affect ethanol conditioned taste aversions 2 days (CTA1) and >3 weeks (CTA2) post-exposure using supersaccharin and saline as conditioning stimuli (CS), respectively.

Developmental differences in the effects of alcohol and stress on heart rate variability.

Adolescent rats differ in their responses to stress and ethanol from their adult counterparts, although not much is known about the contribution of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to these differences. This study assessed the impact of stress, ethanol, and their combination on parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) in adolescent and adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were habituated to the testing box and neck sensors (MouseOX, STARR Life Sciences Corp.

Lack of usefulness of positioned instillation of contrast cystogram after injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid.

Purpose: Positioned instillation of contrast cystograms have been touted as possibly being more sensitive than standard cystograms for evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux. We performed positioned instillation of contrast cystograms intraoperatively, immediately after the injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid to treat vesicoureteral reflux, to determine whether they might be predictive of operative success and obviate the need for the standard postoperative voiding cystourethrogram, which is usually performed at 3 months.

Materials And Methods: Patients with vesicoureteral reflux and no confounding conditions were treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid and subsequent positioned instillation of contrast cystogram while under the same anesthesia between November 2003 and March 2005.

Renal oncocytomas--an Australian experience.

A review was made of 24 cases of renal oncocytoma seen between 1978 and 1989. There was considerable overlap between the clinical presentation of renal oncocytomas and renal carcinomas. Although pre-operative radiological, cytological and pathological investigations may suggest the presence of an oncocytoma, these studies cannot make a definitive diagnosis.

Management of severe hydroureteronephrosis in infants and young children.

Loop cutaneous ureterostomy and cutaneous pyelostomy are safe and effective means of temporary diversion with few complications. Reconstructive operation is delayed until the upper urinary tract has shown maximum improvement in form and function and the patient's tolerance for elective operation has improved. Results of reconstruction may be less than optimal and serious complications may arise.