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A small fraction of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) receives appropriate care. Public opinion about addiction contributes to the availability and accessibility of effective treatment services. Little is known about such attitudes toward OUD among young adults, a population at heightened risk for OUD onset. The current study examined endorsement of social stigma, discrimination, and policy attitudes about OUD and hypothesized correlates of such attitudes (familiarity with OUD, criminal justice involvement, respondent demographic characteristics). A national sample of 190 young adults (weighted n = 408; 69% female, 42% White, non-Hispanic) aged 19–29 years completed web and telephone surveys covering opioid social stigma, discrimination, policy attitudes, personal experience with opioids, and criminal justice, and participant characteristics (age, sex, race, education, employment, income). Linear regressions were performed to examine associations between respondent characteristics and attitudes. Young adults, on average, endorsed moderate levels of stigma and discrimination toward people with OUD and support for treatment-oriented policies. Stigma was positively associated with discrimination and negatively associated with support for policies favorable to people with OUD. Regression results revealed that more negative attitudes toward OUD were endorsed as a function of older age and less personal experience or familiarity with OUD. Heterogeneity in young adults' attitudes about OUD may be explained, in part, by personal characteristics and familiarity with OUD. Adolescence may be an opportune developmental period to prevent or reduce public stigma related to OUD and MOUD and increase public attitudes in support of expanded access to effective OUD treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors outline the development of a youth policy as it exists in South Australia. They examine the background of the policy's formation, the draft of a discussion paper and the resulting dialogue, and priority areas considered in the youth policy document. (CT)

Objectives: Head injuries, including concussion, are a concern in many sports. Current validated concussion assessment protocols such are problematic with suggestions that an oculomotor examination, such as the King-Devick (K-D) test, could be included. This research explores the role of the K-D test in snowsport concussion research.Design: Experienced snowsport participants were recruited through a western Canadian resort (n=75).Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire that included their history of prior serious head impacts and were assessed via the computer-based K-D test in English.Results: Of the 75 participants, 23 (69%) reported at least one previous serious head impact. English was the not primary language for seven participants. Independent sample t-tests revealed: significant differences in the K-D average saccade scores for those who had broken their helmets, with or without a serious head injury (̄x¯=171.23, SD=12.9) and those who had not broken a helmet (̄x¯=186.61, SD=20.18; t (70)=-2.53, p=.014, twotailed) and significant differences in the K-D time for those whose native language is English (̄x¯=47.9, SD=6.3) and those where English was not their first language (̄x¯=53.3, SD=7.4; t(73)=.48, p=.04), but no significant difference for their saccade velocities: English (̄x¯=183.64, SD=20.0) versus those where English is a second or third language (̄x¯=188.44, SD=20.1; t(70)=-.56, p=.576).Conclusions: For subjects whose first language is not English, such as in many snowsport resorts, the K-D test may need to be conducted in a person's native language to provide a valid assessment based upon the time to complete the task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enable long lasting osteochondral defect repairs which preserve the native function of synovial joint counter-face, it is essential to develop surfaces which are optimised to support healthy cartilage function by providing a hydrated, low friction and compliant sliding interface. PEEK surfaces were modified using a biocompatible 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMK) through UV photo-polymerisation, resulting in a ∼ 350 nm thick hydrophilic coating rich in hydrophilic anionic sulfonic acid groups. Characterisation was done through Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Water Contact Angle measurements. Using a Bruker UMT TriboLab, bovine cartilage sliding tests were conducted with real-time strain and shear force measurements, comparing untreated PEEK, SPMK functionalised PEEK (SPMK-g-PEEK), and Cobalt Chrome Molybdenum alloy. Tribological tests over 2.5 h at physiological loads (0.75 MPa) revealed that SPMK-g-PEEK maintains low friction (μ < 0.024) and minimises equilibrium strain, significantly reducing forces on the cartilage interface. Post-test analysis showed no notable damage to the cartilage interfacing against the SPMK functionalised surfaces. The application of a constitutive biphasic cartilage model to the experimental strain data reveals that SPMK surfaces increase the interfacial permeability of cartilage in sliding, facilitating fluid and strain recovery. Unlike previous demonstrations of sliding-induced tribological rehydration requiring specific hydrodynamic conditions, the SPMK-g-PEEK introduces a novel mode of tribological rehydration operating at low speeds and in a stationary contact area. SPMK-g-PEEK surfaces provide an enhanced cartilage counter-surface, which provides a highly hydrated and lubricious boundary layer along with supporting biphasic lubrication. Soft polymer surface functionalisation of orthopaedic implant surfaces are a promising approach for minimally invasive synovial joint repair with an enhanced bioinspired polyelectrolyte interface for sliding against cartilage. These hydrophilic surface coatings offer an enabling technology for the next generation of focal cartilage repair and hemiarthroplasty implant surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As youth with perinatally acquired HIV infection age, there is a need for studies that identify predictors and correlates of sexual risk behaviors. We examined the association between psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) with sexual risk behaviors in youth with perinatally acquired HIV infection and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected youth. Participants were recruited from four medical centers in New York City. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and the Adolescent Sexual Behavior Assessment were administered to assess psychiatric disorders and sexual behaviors, respectively. SUD and behavior disorders were correlated with either ever having had penetrative sex or recent condomless sex for participants with perinatally acquired HIV infection only. Results suggest that clinicians should screen and treat patients for SUD and behavioral disorders to reduce sexual risk behaviors in youth with perinatally acquired HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine whether there are seasonal changes in the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assays, an interferon-gamma release assay widely used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection. Results of 31,932 QFT-GIT assays performed at a large independent, accredited diagnostic service provider in London, UK over a 4.5-year-period were analysed. The proportion of positive results was significantly lower in autumn (14.8%) than in spring (16.0%; p = 0.0366) and summer (17.5%; p < 0.0001), but similar to winter (15.2%; p = 0.4711). The proportion of indeterminate results was significantly higher in autumn (8.2%) than in spring (6.2%; p < 0.0001), summer (4.8%; p < 0.0001), and winter (6.2%; p < 0.0001). The highest proportions of indeterminate results were observed in October (8.4%) and November (8.8%), the lowest in June (4.5%). Our data show that significant seasonal variation occurs in the performance of QFT-GIT assays in a temperate climate setting. Potential underlying mechanisms, including host and environmental factors, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlates of immune protection that reliably predict vaccine efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection are urgently needed. Invariant NKT cells (iNKTs) are CD1d-dependent innate T cells that augment host antimicrobial immunity through production of cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We determined peripheral blood iNKT numbers, their proliferative responses and iNKT subset proportions after in vitro antigen expansion by α-galactosylceramide (αGC) in a large cohort of mycobacteria-naïve non-human primates, and macaques from Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine and Mtb challenge studies. Animals studied included four genetically distinct groups of macaques within cynomolgus and rhesus species that differ in their susceptibility to Mtb infection. We demonstrate significant differences in ex vivo iNKT frequency between groups, which trends towards an association with susceptibility to Mtb, but no significant difference in overall iNKT proliferative responses. Susceptible animals exhibited a skewed CD4 + /CD8 + iNKT subset ratio in comparison to more Mtb-resistant groups. Correlation of iNKT subsets post BCG vaccination with clinical disease manifestations following Mtb challenge in the Chinese cynomolgus and Indian rhesus macaques identified a consistent trend linking increased CD8 + iNKTs with favourable disease outcome. Finally, a similar iNKT profile was conferred by BCG vaccination in rhesus macaques. Our study provides the first detailed characterisation of iNKT cells in macaque tuberculosis infection, suggesting that iNKT repertoire differences may impact on disease outcome, which warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport-related concussion is a growing health concern in Australia. Public concern is focused on the incidence and potential long term consequences of concussion. Children may be more prone to concussion and take longer to recover. The Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Medical Association have collaborated to present the most contemporary evidence-based information in a format appropriate for all stakeholders. This position statement aims to ensure that participant safety and welfare is paramount when dealing with concussion in sport.First aid principles apply in the management of the athlete with suspected concussion, including protection of the cervical spine. Tools exist for use by members of the community, allowing identification of key symptoms and signs that raise the suspicion of concussion. Medical professionals should use the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3, in conjunction with clinical assessment for the diagnosis of concussion. Clinical assessment includes mechanism of injury, symptoms and signs, cognitive functioning, and neurological assessment including balance testing. In any situation where concussion is suspected, the athlete must be immediately removed from sport and not be allowed to return to activity until they have been assessed by a medical practitioner. "If in doubt, sit them out."A diagnosis of concussion requires immediate physical and cognitive rest, followed by a structured, graduated return to physical activity. Children require a longer period of recovery from concussion. Algorithms are provided for use by medical and non-medically trained stakeholders in the recognition and management of concussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and laboratory identification of the underlying risk of respiratory illness in athletes has proved problematic. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical data, combined with immune responses to standardised exercise protocols and genetic cytokine polymorphism status, could identify the risk of respiratory illness (symptoms) in a cohort of highly-trained athletes. Male endurance athletes (n=16; VO2max 66.5 ± 5.1 mL.kg-1.min-1) underwent a clinical evaluation of known risk factors by a physician and comprehensive laboratory analysis of immune responses both at rest and after two cycling ergometer tests: 60 min at 65% VO2max (LONG); and 6 x 3 min intervals at 90% VO2max (INTENSE). Blood tests were performed to determine Epstein Barr virus (EBV) status and DNA was genotyped for a panel of cytokine gene polymorphisms. Saliva was collected for measurement of IgA and detection of EBV DNA. Athletes were then followed for 9 months for self-reported episodes of respiratory illness, with confirmation of the underlying cause by a sports physician. There were no associations with risk of respiratory illness identified for any parameter assessed in the clinical evaluations. The laboratory parameters associated with an increased risk of respiratory illnesses in highly-trained athletes were cytokine gene polymorphisms for the high expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ expression of EBV-DNA in saliva; and low levels of salivary IgA concentration. A genetic risk score was developed for the cumulative number of minor alleles for the cytokines evaluated. Athletes prone to recurrent respiratory illness were more likely to have immune disturbances that allow viral reactivation, and a genetic predisposition to pro-inflammatory cytokine responses to intense exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Significant gaps persist in our understanding of the etiological factors that shape the progression of mental health symptoms (MHS) among perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) youths. This study sought to assess the changes in MHS among PHIV+ and PHEU youths as they transition through adolescence and to identify the associated psychosocial factors. Methods Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of 166 PHIV+ and 114 PHEU youths (49% male, ages 9–16 years at baseline) in New York City. Individual interviews were administered at baseline and subsequently over a 5-year period. MHS were assessed using the youth version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Predictive growth curve analyses were conducted to assess longitudinal changes in MHS and identify the relevant factors. Level I predictors included: time, major life events, household poverty, caregiver mental health, and neighborhood stressors. Level II predictors included youths' sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, HIV status) and baseline future orientation scores. Results The changes in youths' MHS followed a quadratic growth curve and were positively associated with the number of major negative life events and neighborhood stressors experienced. Youths' HIV status, household poverty, and caregiver mental health were not significantly associated with youths' MHS. Conclusions Findings suggest that irrespective of youths' HIV status, major life events and neighborhood stressors increase MHS among PHIV+ and PHEU youths. There is a need for interventions to reduce the impact of stressors on the mental well-being of PHIV+ and PHEU youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine planning for oil sands involves the integration of waste management into the long term production planning process. This ensures that while ore is provided for the processing plant, sufficient in-pit tailings containment areas are made available as dedicated disposal areas for backfilling. This enables the creation of a trafficable landscape at the earliest opportunity to facilitate progressive reclamation. Apart from being a regulatory requirement, this integration impacts directly on the profitability and sustainability of oil sands mining operations. This paper introduces a mixed integer linear programming mine planning framework that seeks to simultaneously determine the production schedule, dyke construction schedule and the backfilling schedule. Different waste management strategies were also investigated. The model generated a practical, smooth and uniform schedule for ore, dyke material and backfilling activities. The results show that for the case studies considered, increasing the number of in-pit tailings cells reduces the net present value of the mine as a result of a reduced operational flexibility. However, this strategy makes in-pit tailings storage areas available earlier in the mine life, and ensures an efficient use of in-pit storage areas required for sustainable operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]