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Objective: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of health educators in providing a brief, street-based intervention to homeless adolescents.Method: Qualitative data were collected via e-mail from a purposive sample of 13 male and female health educators who provided the intervention and analyzed using manifest and latent content analysis techniques.Results: Five categories with two or more subcategories were identified in the data and included how the educators' views changed, how they felt homeless youth were similar to and different from other adolescents, positive aspects and challenges of providing the intervention, and suggestions for future interventionists working with this population.Conclusions: The health educators' practice was strengthened over the course of providing the intervention through their positive experiences, changes in their perceptions, some of which were biased, and ability to confront the challenges that accompany working with this vulnerable population.Practice Implications: Health educators who work with this population should learn about the culture of homeless youth and characteristics of homeless youth that may influence their participation in a sexual health intervention. Moreover, they need to be non-judgmental, practice the intervention, be aware of their biases, and remain flexible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects of [2-amino-4-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzylamino)-phenyl]-carbamic acid ethyl ester (AA29504), which is a close analogue of retigabine, have been investigated. AA29504 induced a rightward shift of the activation threshold at cloned KCNQ2, 2/3 and 4 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, with a potency 3–4fold lower than retigabine. AA29504 (1 μM) had no agonist activity when tested at α1β3γ2s or α4β3δ GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes, but left-shifted the EC50 for GABA and gaboxadol (THIP) at both receptors. The maximum GABA response at α1β3γ2s receptors was unchanged by AA29504 (1 μM), but increased 3-fold at α4β3δ receptors. In slices prepared from the prefrontal cortex of adult rats AA29504 had no effect alone on the average IPSC or the tonic current in layer II/III pyramidal neurons, but potentiated the effect of gaboxadol on both phasic and tonic currents. Thus, the effects of gaboxadol could be positively modulated by AA29504. Systemic administration of AA29504 at doses relevant for modulating GABA transmission produced anxiolytic effects and reduced motor coordination consistent with activity at GABAA receptors. We conclude that AA29504 exerts a major action via α4β3δ-containing GABAA receptors, which will be important for interpreting its effect in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]