The impact of COVID-19 public health measures on attendance and overdose at supervised injecting facilities in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted service provision of harm reduction and drug treatment services for people who inject drugs in many countries. The two supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) in Sydney and Melbourne were differentially impacted by the pandemic, requiring local procedural changes in each service. We aimed to examine the impact of pandemic responses (including restrictions on movement, known as 'lockdowns') on service use and key parameters such as client reports of drug injected and recorded overdose rates. STUDY DESIGN: Time series analysis of weekly client visits and monthly overdoses occurring at each service. METHODS: Administrative client data from the two SIFs (Sydney data from 1 January 2018 to 30 April 2022; Melbourne data from 1 July 2018 to 30 April 2022) were examined using interrupted time series analyses with lockdown dates in each state entered as interruption terms. We analysed weekly SIF visits overall and by drug type, and monthly rates of opioid overdose at each service. RESULTS: Lockdowns resulted in decreased visits to both services. The number of weekly client visits decreased during the first national lockdown for both the Sydney (trend change = -57.9; 95% CI [-109.4, -6.4]) and Melbourne SIF (near sig trend change = -54.8 [-110.8, 1.05]). Trends in visit numbers increased after lockdowns were lifted in each city; however, visits in Sydney have not returned to the numbers recorded prior to the pandemic. Visits to the Melbourne SIF related to heroin use declined at each lockdown (trend 1 = -42.7 [-81.5, -3.9]; trend 2 = -56.1 [-94.6, -17.7]; trend 3 = -33.8 [-67.4, -0.2]); heroin visits to the Sydney SIF declined during the first lockdown and remained low (trend = -55.6 [-82.8, -28.3]). Methamphetamine visits to the Sydney SIF fluctuated, surpassing heroin visits at several timepoints. Rates of monthly opioid overdoses at both services declined immediately following the start of the first lockdown (Sydney = -16.6 [-26.1, -6.8]; Melbourne = -6.4 [-8.7, -4.1]), with increasing trends recorded at the end of the final lockdown in each jurisdiction (Sydney = 2.8 [0.6, 5.0]; Melbourne = 1.3 [0.72, 3.2]). CONCLUSIONS: Public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with reduced client visits to, and overdoses in, Australian SIFs. Variations were noted in the drugs injected, likely reflecting changes in local drug markets. Shifts to other drugs during these periods were evident: methamphetamine in Sydney; co-injection of heroin and diphenhydramine in Melbourne.

Piloting the integration of SMART Recovery into outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment programs.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests peer support groups can amplify and extend treatment effects and enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. However, they are rarely integrated into outpatient treatment programs, resulting in a missed opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, and increased connection to others social networks where people want to reduce or cease substance use. METHOD: In this mixed-methods study, we examined the uptake, participant experiences and impacts of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) when embedded in three public AOD treatment programs in a pilot program in Australia. Groups were delivered initially in-person but transitioned online during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 75 SMART Recovery groups were run by the pilot sites, with an average attendance of 6.5 people per meeting. Among Participants (N = 31) who completed the survey, 94% reported benefits relating to substance use (i.e., reduction/ successful maintenance of abstinence), 71% reported improvements in their mental health and wellbeing, 74% reported improvements in their physical health, and 81% reported feeling better connected with others. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 participants to explore their experiences. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: motivation to attend, active ingredients, views on the integration of SMART into formal AOD, and the advantages and disadvantages of online groups. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings suggest embedding SMART Recovery in AOD treatment is a worthwhile endeavour. This was indicated by a good uptake and evidence of multiple and unique benefits to participants over and above their usual care, notably, better management of their AOD use, health, wellbeing, and sense of connection with others.

Changes in non-opioid substitution treatment episodes for pharmaceutical opioids and heroin from 2002 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: There has been a well-documented increase in the non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids (PO) worldwide. However, there has been little detailed examination of treatment demand, or the characteristics of those presenting for treatment, particularly for treatments other than opioid substitution. METHODS: Data from closed drug and alcohol treatment episodes from the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS-NMDS, representing non-opioid substitution treatment) in Australia for 2002-2003 to 2010-2011 were examined. In the four jurisdictions where detailed data were available, episodes where heroin was the principal drug of concern were compared to episodes for the four most frequently reported pharmaceutical opioids (morphine, codeine, fentanyl and oxycodone). RESULTS: In 2002-2003, most (93%) opioid treatment was related to heroin with seven percent of all opioid treatment episodes reporting a PO as the principal drug of concern. In 2010-2011, 20% of all opioid treatment episodes were attributed to POs. Distinct changes over time were observed for different opioids. There was an increase in the average age at the start of treatment for heroin and oxycodone episodes, and a reduction in the proportion of females for codeine episodes, with 67% in 2002-2003 compared with 44% in 2010-2011. Codeine and oxycodone episodes had the lowest current or past injection rates. CONCLUSIONS: Clear differences were observed over time and between different opioids. Monitoring these emerging patterns will be important to inform treatment needs, particularly in light of different patterns of poly drug use, different routes of administration and changing demographic characteristics.

Oligosaccharide components of surface glycoproteins from leukemic lymphocytes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Oligosaccharide components of surface glycoproteins of leukemic cells have been studied in a group of eight patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Labelled surface glycoproteins were separated by electrophoresis and treated with mild alkaline borohydride, prior to exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-50. Five peaks were detected, of which peaks I and II consisted largely of N-linked chains and peaks III and IV of O-linked chains. Peak V contained monosaccharides and non-carbohydrate material. On both peripheral blood and lymph node cells of the CLL and nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (NPDLL) patients studied, glycosylation was altered on leukocyte-common antigen (L-CA) forms of different relative molecular mass (Mr). The ratio of peak II oligosaccharides to those of peaks III and IV in different forms of L-CA correlated closely with Mr of the L-CA. Glycosylation of L-CA on cells of two patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma differed from that of the CLL and NPDLL patients, but was also to some extent related to Mr. Most of the oligosaccharides on the large sialoglycoprotein were O-linked, only a minor amount of N-linked being detected. Two surface glycoproteins of Mr 87 and 83 k differed markedly in their content of O- and N-linked chains. The specific glycosylation patterns described may have a role in control of cell behaviour and disease patterns of leukemia and lymphoma.

Expression of leucocyte-common antigen and large sialoglycoprotein on leukemic cells in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Patterns of leucocyte-common antigen (L-CA) and large sialoglycoprotein (LSGP) expression on leukemic peripheral blood lymphocytes of 13 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 17 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in leukemic phase and one with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) have been examined by means of surface labelling and electrophoresis in 5% polyacrylamide gels. The 13 CLL, 10 of the 11 diffuse NHL and the six nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (PDLL) patients fell into three groups according to expression of 210, 198 and 185k forms of L-CA. Group 1 (210 less than 198 less than 185k L-CA) included eight CLL and one diffuse NHL; Group 2 (210 greater than or equal to 198 and 185k L-CA) included four CLL, three diffuse NHL and four nodular PDLL; Group 3 (mainly 210k L-CA) included one CLL, six diffuse NHL and two nodular PDLL. A patient with diffuse large cell lymphoma and the HCL patient both had patterns of multiple, diffuse, very high Mr labelled glycoproteins. LSGP on these cells varied from nil to very high and levels were not related to L-CA patterns. Lymph node cells from five patients were also studied and were found to express larger numbers of L-CA forms and less LSGP than corresponding peripheral blood lymphocytes. Possible relationships of L-CA forms and LSGP to lymphocyte function and disease patterns are discussed.

Computerised EEG monitoring for carotid endarterectomy.

A prospective study was undertaken in twenty patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy using computerised EEG monitoring in the form of a density-modulated spectral array, spectral edge frequency and integrated EEG power for monitoring cerebral ischaemia. This form of monitoring proved to be easy to use and understand. Because ischaemic EEG events longer than one minute were not necessarily followed by postoperative deficits, the definition of significant events that would cause ischaemia may need to be modified.

Megakaryocytes and the heterogeneity of circulating platelets.

Megakaryocytes mature to the point of cytoplasmic disintergration in three principal ploidy classes: 8n, 16n and 32n. Cells of each of these ploidy classes have been identified, using both microdensitometry and measurement of cell volume and submitted to morphometric analysis. Mature megakaryocytes of the three ploidy classes have been shown to differ in the concentration of cytoplasmic constituents which would be expected to relate to the buoyant density of their platelet progeny. Density separated platelets have been similarly analysed. Light platelets correspond with the 32n megakarycytes and are more liberally endowed with surface connected canalicular system than the progeny of the common 16n megakaryocytes; it is proposed that they have functional characteristics related to this finding. Dense platelets, which are larger in size, correspond with 8n megakaryocytes and show a greater content of granules and mitochondria than platelets of average density. These platelets most probably show specialized function relating to release of granule constituents. Fragments of cytoplasm released from megakaryocytes represent one form of "megathrombocyte" equated by others with newly formed platelets. The differences in structure between these fragments and circulating platelets are emphasized; each such fragment must undergo further disintergration into a number of platelets. It is suggested that the heterogeneity of circulating platelets with respect to both size and density stems from the origin of platelets of varying density from the different populations of megakaryocyte and their release in the form of large cytoplasmic fragments rather than as platelets.

Platelet density and size: the interpretation of heterogeneity.

Platelets have been separated according to buoyant density using a colloidal silica-polyvinylpyrrolidone system and subjected to electronic sizing. All density populations were found to be heterogeneous in size, the most dense platelets ranging from less than 3 fl to greater than 21 fl in both man and rat. Light platelet fractions contained no platelets greater than 13 fl in either species. Cohort labeling with [75Se]selenomethionine showed no indication of significant change in platelet buoyant density with ageing; greater specific activity found in young, dense platelets appears to be related to increased protein synthetic activity shown in vitro and likely to occur also in their precursor megakaryocytes. It is postulated that dense, intermediate and light platelets are released synchronously by the three different ploidy classes of megakaryocyte, that varying density indicates differing structural characteristics and presumably differences in function. The present findings do not deny the possibility that platelets decrease in size with ageing but if such occurs, it is not associated with a significant change in platelet buoyant density.

In-vitro reactions of lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Various lymphocyte functions and the percentage of different subpopulations have been measured in groups of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, sicca complex, and in normal controls. Several abnormal results were found--in the responses to mitogens, in the antibody-dependent cytotoxic test, and in the percentages of EA rosettes (antibody sensitised chick red cells test) and surface immunoglobulin-bearing cells. In the light of these findings cytotoxicity and lymphocyte subpopulations were measured in further groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients in whom the disease was at different stages. The results showed that the changes in cytotoxic potential occurred in patients with active arthritis. Correlation tests showed significant positive associations between the percentage of SE rosette-forming cells (sheep red cells test) and the mitogenic responses to phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A, and between the percentage of EA rosette-forming cells and the levels of antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. The results are discussed in the light of our understanding of cellular subpopulations in the immune system.