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Monthly Archives: December 2009

Gender Differences in Social Support and Depression among Injection Drug Users in Houston, Texas.

Conclusions: Lack of social support from a special person or significant other was associated with depressive symptoms in both males and females. Our findings suggest that depression and social support should be addressed when developing HIV prevention programs among injection drug users

Isoprostane as a marker of oxidative stress in chronic heroin users: correlation with duration of heroin use or concomitant hepatitis C infection.

Conclusions: The elevated plasma 15-F(2t)-IsoP values in heroin dependent subjects, compared to healthy individuals, indicate a shift of the balance between oxidants and antioxidants towards the former and suggest that heroin dependent subjects could benefit from an antioxidant therapy. PMID: 20141391 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse)

Impact of self-reported life events on the profile of opioid dependence syndrome.

Conclusion: The data presented indicate that a significant group of opioid dependent patients experience adverse life events in both childhood and adulthood. It is by attending to and addressing these issues that health care workers can alleviate ongoing distress and promote confidence. PMID: 20141390 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse)

Substance Use and Survival after Treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the potential significance of substance use disorders, and lifetime cocaine diagnoses in particular, on treatment outcome for people with chronic myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Whereas neither lifetime alcohol nor cannabis use were associated with survival on either the univariate or multivariate models of survival, lifetime cocaine diagnoses were associated with significant six-fold increased risk of death (p = .04)

Health Talk: Chewing tobacco can be deadly

What do Randy Johnson, Terry Francona and thousands of former and current Major League baseball players have in common?

Professor: No Doubt Electronic Cigarettes Safer than Cigarettes: An expert in Tobacco Harm Reduction argues that e-cigarettes carry around one…

In an interview with E Cigarette Direct Professor Carl Phillips, associate professor at the University of Alberta, has argued that electronic cigarettes are a valid alternative to cigarettes, stating: Professor Carl Phillips. “I think there’s absolutely no doubt that it is a safer alternative to regular cigarettes.” He estimated that electronic cigarettes carried a risk that: “…is probably in the order of 99 percent less harmful than smoking.”

Opportunities for enhancing and integrating HIV and drug services for drug using vulnerable populations in South Africa

Abstract: Background: Little has been done to improve the integration of drug use and HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa where substance use and HIV epidemics often co-exist.Methods: Data were collected using rapid assessment methods in two phases in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, South Africa. Phase I (2005) comprised 140 key informant and focus group drug using interviewees and 19 service providers (SPs), and Phase 2 (2007) comprised 69 drug using focus group interviewees and 11 SPs.Results: Drug users put themselves at risk for HIV transmission through various drug-related sexual practices as well as through needle sharing

Young people and drugs: Next generation of harm reduction

Abstract: Globally, young people under 25 accounted for an estimated 45% of all new HIV infections in 2007.

Notice of Appeal Filed by Star Scientific in Patent Infringement Lawsuit

Star Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq: CIGX) yesterday filed a notice of appeal in the company’s patent infringement lawsuit against RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). The notice of appeal, which was filed in the US District Court for Maryland, states that Star is appealing to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit the judgment, orders and decisions specified in the notice, including the judgment resulting from the June, 2009 jury verdict in favor of RJR

Re: Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0294 (74 Federal Register 31457 (July 1, 2009)) (PDF): Request for Comments: Regulation of Tobacco Products Under the Family…

In 2008, an international group of experts that provides scientific and technical advice on tobacco products to the World Health Organization (“WHO”) similarly recognized that smokeless tobacco products are less hazardous than cigarettes. The WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (“TobReg”) concluded, “[u]sers of smokeless tobacco products generally have lower risks for tobacco-related morbidity and mortality than users of combustible tobacco products such as cigarettes