Long-term stability in the circumpolar foraging range of a Southern Ocean predator between the eras of whaling and rapid climate change.

Assessing environmental changes in Southern Ocean ecosystems is difficult due to its remoteness and data sparsity. Monitoring marine predators that respond rapidly to environmental variation may enable us to track anthropogenic effects on ecosystems. Yet, many long-term datasets of marine predators are incomplete because they are spatially constrained and/or track ecosystems already modified by industrial fishing and whaling in the latter half of the 20th century. Here, we assess the contemporary offshore distribution of a wide-ranging marine predator, the southern right whale (SRW, Eubalaena australis), that forages on copepods and krill from ~30°S to the Antarctic ice edge (>60°S). We analyzed carbon and nitrogen isotope values of 1,002 skin samples from six genetically distinct SRW populations using a customized assignment approach that accounts for temporal and spatial variation in the Southern Ocean phytoplankton isoscape. Over the past three decades, SRWs increased their use of mid-latitude foraging grounds in the south Atlantic and southwest (SW) Indian oceans in the late austral summer and autumn and slightly increased their use of high-latitude (>60°S) foraging grounds in the SW Pacific, coincident with observed changes in prey distribution and abundance on a circumpolar scale. Comparing foraging assignments with whaling records since the 18th century showed remarkable stability in use of mid-latitude foraging areas. We attribute this consistency across four centuries to the physical stability of ocean fronts and resulting productivity in mid-latitude ecosystems of the Southern Ocean compared with polar regions that may be more influenced by recent climate change.

Vancouver's Alcohol Knowledge Exchange: lessons learned from creating a peer-involved alcohol harm reduction strategy in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Despite high rates of harm attributable to alcohol use itself and the associated marginalization of illicit drinkers in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES), alcohol-specific harm reduction services there are under-resourced and highly disconnected from one another. In response to these conditions and high rates of death amongst its membership, the Eastside Illicit Drinkers Group for Education, an affiliate group of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, convened a regular meeting of stakeholders, termed a "community of practice" in 2019 to bring together peers who used beverage and non-beverage alcohol, shelter and harm reduction service providers, public health professionals, clinicians, and policymakers to improve system-level capacity to reduce alcohol-related harm. The discussions that followed from these meetings were transformed into the Vancouver Alcohol Strategy (VAS), a comprehensive, harm reduction-oriented policy framework for alcohol harm reduction in the DTES. This article highlights our experiences producing community-led alcohol policy through the VAS with specific attention to the ways in which people who use alcohol themselves were centred throughout the policy development process. We also provide summary overviews of each of the VAS document's 6 thematic areas for action, highlighting a sampling of the 47 total unique recommendations. Historically, people who use non-beverage alcohol and whose use of alcohol in public spaces is criminalized due to housing precarity and visible poverty have been excluded from the development of population-level alcohol policies that can harm this specific population. The process of policy development undertaken by the VAS has attempted to resist this top-down approach to public health policy development related to alcohol control by intentionally creating space for people with lived experience to guide our recommendations. We conclude by suggesting that a grassroots enthusiasm for harm reduction focused policy development exists in Vancouver's DTES, and requires resources from governmental public health institutions to meaningfully prevent and reduce alcohol-related and policy-induced harms.

Towards cross-Canada monitoring of the unregulated street drug supply.

BACKGROUND: The well-being of people who use drugs (PWUD) continues to be threatened by substances of unknown type or quantity in the unregulated street drug supply. Current efforts to monitor the drug supply are limited in population reach and comparability. This restricts capacity to identify and develop measures that safeguard the health of PWUD. This study describes the development of a low-barrier system for monitoring the contents of drugs in the unregulated street supply. Early results for pilot sites are presented and compared across regions. METHODS: The drug content monitoring system integrates a low-barrier survey and broad spectrum urine toxicology screening to compare substances expected to be consumed and those actually in the drug supply. The system prototype was developed by harm reduction pilot projects in British Columbia (BC) and Montreal with participation of PWUD. Data were collected from harm reduction supply distribution site clients in BC, Edmonton and Montreal between May 2018-March 2019. Survey and urine toxicology data were linked via anonymous codes and analyzed descriptively by region for trends in self-reported and detected use. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 878 participants from 40 sites across 3 regions. Reported use of substances, their detection, and concordance between the two varied across regions. Methamphetamine use was reported and detected most frequently in BC (reported: 62.8%; detected: 72.2%) and Edmonton (58.3%; 68.8%). In Montreal, high concordance was also observed between reported (74.5%) and detected (86.5%) cocaine/crack use. Among those with fentanyl detected, the percentage of participants who used fentanyl unintentionally ranged from 36.1% in BC, 78.6% in Edmonton and 90.9% in Montreal. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe a feasible, scalable monitoring system for the unregulated drug supply that can contrast expected and actual drug use and compare trends across regions. The system used principles of flexibility, capacity-building and community participation in its design. Results are well-suited to meet the needs of PWUD and inform the local harm reduction services they rely on. Further standardization of the survey tool and knowledge mobilization is needed to expand the system to new jurisdictions.

"If I knew I could get that every hour instead of alcohol, I would take the cannabis": need and feasibility of cannabis substitution implementation in Canadian managed alcohol programs.

BACKGROUND: While there is robust evidence for strategies to reduce harms of illicit drug use, less attention has been paid to alcohol harm reduction for people experiencing severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), homelessness, and street-based illicit drinking. Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) provide safer and regulated sources of alcohol and other supports within a harm reduction framework. To reduce the impacts of heavy long-term alcohol use among MAP participants, cannabis substitution has been identified as a potential therapeutic tool. METHODS: To determine the feasibility of cannabis substitution, we conducted a pre-implementation mixed-methods study utilizing structured surveys and open-ended interviews. Data were collected from MAP organizational leaders (n = 7), program participants (n = 19), staff and managers (n = 17) across 6 MAPs in Canada. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform and organize our analysis. RESULTS: Five themes describing feasibility of CSP implementation in MAPs were identified. The first theme describes the characteristics of potential CSP participants. Among MAP participants, 63% (n = 12) were already substituting cannabis for alcohol, most often on a weekly basis (n = 8, 42.1%), for alcohol cravings (n = 15, 78.9%,) and withdrawal (n = 10, 52.6%). Most MAP participants expressed willingness to participate in a CSP (n = 16, 84.2%). The second theme describes the characteristics of a feasible and preferred CSP model according to participants and staff. Participants preferred staff administration of dry, smoked cannabis, followed by edibles and capsules with replacement of some doses of alcohol through a partial substitution model. Themes three and four highlight organizational and contextual factors related to feasibility of implementing CSPs. MAP participants requested peer, social, and counselling supports. Staff requested education resources and enhanced clinical staffing. Critically, program staff and leaders identified that sustainable funding and inexpensive, legal, and reliable sourcing of cannabis are needed to support CSP implementation. CONCLUSION: Cannabis substitution was considered feasible by all three groups and in some MAPs residents are already using cannabis. Partial substitution of cannabis for doses of alcohol was preferred. All three groups identified a need for additional supports for implementation including peer support, staff education, and counselling. Sourcing and funding cannabis were identified as primary challenges to successful CSP implementation in MAPs.

Trends in tuna carbon isotopes suggest global changes in pelagic phytoplankton communities.

Considerable uncertainty remains over how increasing atmospheric CO2 and anthropogenic climate changes are affecting open-ocean marine ecosystems from phytoplankton to top predators. Biological time series data are thus urgently needed for the world's oceans. Here, we use the carbon stable isotope composition of tuna to provide a first insight into the existence of global trends in complex ecosystem dynamics and changes in the oceanic carbon cycle. From 2000 to 2015, considerable declines in δ13 C values of 0.8‰-2.5‰ were observed across three tuna species sampled globally, with more substantial changes in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Tuna recorded not only the Suess effect, that is, fossil fuel-derived and isotopically light carbon being incorporated into marine ecosystems, but also recorded profound changes at the base of marine food webs. We suggest a global shift in phytoplankton community structure, for example, a reduction in 13 C-rich phytoplankton such as diatoms, and/or a change in phytoplankton physiology during this period, although this does not rule out other concomitant changes at higher levels in the food webs. Our study establishes tuna δ13 C values as a candidate essential ocean variable to assess complex ecosystem responses to climate change at regional to global scales and over decadal timescales. Finally, this time series will be invaluable in calibrating and validating global earth system models to project changes in marine biota.

Convenience and comfort: reasons reported for using drugs alone among clients of harm reduction sites in British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND: North American communities are severely impacted by the overdose crisis, particularly in British Columbia (BC), which has the highest toxic drug overdose death rate in Canada. Most fatal overdoses in BC occurred among individuals using alone and in private residences. This study aimed to assess prevalence and reasons for using drugs alone among people accessing harm reduction services in BC. METHODS: We recruited harm reduction supply distribution site clients from 22 communities across BC. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to describe factors associated with using alone. Thematic analysis of free-text responses providing reasons for using alone were grouped with survey data and additional themes identified. RESULTS: Overall, 75.8% (n = 314) of the study sample (N = 414) reported using drugs alone within the last week. Those that reported using alone did not differ from those that did not by gender, age, urbanicity, or preferred drug use method. Among those that used alone, 73.2% (n = 230) used opioids, 76.8% (n = 241) used crystal meth, 41.4% (n = 130) used crack/cocaine, and 44.6% (n = 140) used alcohol in the past week. Polysubstance use involving stimulants, opioids, and/or benzodiazepines was reported by 68.5% (n = 215) of those that used alone. Additionally, 22.9% (n = 72) of those that used alone had experienced an opioid and/or stimulant overdose in the past 6 months. In a multivariable logistic regression model, having no regular housing and past week crack/cocaine use were associated with using alone (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.27; 95% CI 1.20-4.27 and AOR: 2.10; 95% CI 1.15-3.82, respectively). The most common reason reported for using alone was convenience and comfort of using alone (44.3%). Additional reasons included: stigma/hiding drug use (14.0%); having no one around (11.7%); safety (9.6%); and not wanting to share drugs with others (8.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Using drugs alone, particularly for convenience and comfort, is ubiquitous among people accessing harm reduction services. Overdose prevention measures that go beyond individual behaviour changes, including providing a safer supply of drugs and eliminating stigma, are paramount to mitigate harms. These interventions are especially necessary as emergence of coronavirus disease may further exacerbate unpredictability of illicit drug content and overdose risk.

Enhanced anti-fibrogenic effects of novel oridonin derivative CYD0692 in hepatic stellate cells.

Oridonin, isolated from Rabdosia rubescens, has been proven to possess various anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we reported the anti-fibrogenic effects of oridonin for liver in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a newly designed analog CYD0692 in vitro. Cell viability was measured by Alamar Blue assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Cell Death ELISA and Yo-Pro-1 staining. Western blots were performed for cellular proteins. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell cycle regulation. CYD0692 significantly inhibited LX-2 cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an IC50 value of ~0.7 µM for 48 h, ~tenfold greater potency than oridonin. Similar results were observed in HSC-T6 cells. In contrast, on the human hepatocyte cell line C3A, only 12 % of the cell growth was inhibited with 5 µM of CYD0692 treatment for 48 h, while 30 % inhibited at 10 µM. After CYD0692 treatment on LX-2 cells, apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest were induced; cleaved-PARP, p21, and p53 were activated while cyclin-B1 levels declined. In addition, α-smooth muscle actin, type I Collagen, and fibronectin (FN) were markedly down regulated. Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF ß1) has been identified as a dominant stimulator for ECM production in HSC. Our results indicated that pretreatment with CYD0692 blocked TGF ß1-induced FN expression, thereby decreasing the downstream factors of TGF ß1 signaling, such as Phospho-Smad2/3 and phospho-ERK. In comparison with oridonin, its novel derivative CYD0692 has demonstrated to be a more potent and potentially safer anti-fibrogenic agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Enhanced effects of novel oridonin analog CYD0682 for hepatic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are responsible for excess extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition in liver fibrosis. Previously, our group reported that the natural compound oridonin induces apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation, and downregulates ECM proteins in activated HSC. In this study, the antifibrogenic effects of oridonin derivative CYD0682 on the activated human LX-2 and rat HSC-T6 stellate cell lines were investigated. METHODS: Cell proliferation was measured by alamarBlue assay. Apoptosis was detected by Cell Death ELISA and staining of Yo-Pro-1 and propidium iodide. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence staining were performed for cellular protein expression. RESULTS: CYD0682 treatment significantly inhibited LX-2 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 0.49 µM for 48 h, ∼10-fold greater potency than oridonin. Similar results were observed in HSC-T6 cells. In contrast, 2.5 µM of CYD0682 treatment had no significant effects on proliferation of the human hepatocyte cell line C3A. CYD0682 treatment induced LX-2 cell apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest and was associated with activation of p53, p21, and cleaved caspase-3. The myofibroblast marker protein α-smooth muscle actin and major ECM proteins type I collagen and fibronectin were markedly suppressed in a time- and dose-dependent fashion by CYD0682. Furthermore, pretreatment with CYD0682 blocked transforming growth factor-ß-induced type I collagen and fibronectin production. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with oridonin, its novel derivative CYD0682 may act as a more potent antihepatic fibrosis agent.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of dorsal spine age rings indicate temporal variation in the diet of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in waters around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

RATIONALE: Billfishes, such as marlin, are top pelagic predators that play an important role in maintaining the stability of marine food webs. Notwithstanding the importance of these species, there remain gaps in our knowledge on their movements, foraging, and trophic status in the early stage of life. METHODS: We measured the δ(13)C and δ(15)N values in each annual growth band deposited in the dorsal spine from striped marlin caught off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to produce retrospective isotopic profiles that would enable us to detect any significant isotopic changes across development. The samples were analyzed using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. RESULTS: There was no relationship between the size of striped marlin and the δ(15) N values. Differences in δ(15)N mean values across different age classes were not significant and the variation in δ(15)N values through the marlins' life cycle was less than 2‰. However, the mean δ(15)N values between individuals varied by up to 6‰. The δ(13)C values increased as a function of age, and the mean δ(13)C values varied significantly between age classes. CONCLUSIONS: Fin spines can be used to construct retrospective isotopic histories for the investigation of trophic dynamics and migratory histories in billfishes, for which population dynamics are often poorly known.

Prevalence of intestinal helminths, anemia, and malnutrition in Paucartambo, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections, anemia, and malnutrition among children in the Paucartambo province of Cusco region, Peru, in light of demographic, socio-economic, and epidemiologic contextual factors. METHODS: Children from three to twelve years old from six communities in Huancarani district in the highlands of Peru were evaluated for helminth infections, anemia, and nutritional status. Data collected included demographic variables, socioeconomic status, exposures, complete blood counts, and direct and sedimentation stool tests. RESULTS: Of 240 children analyzed, 113 (47%) were infected with one or more parasites. Giardia (27.5%) and Fasciola (9.6%) were the most commonly identified organisms. Eosinophilia was encountered in 21% of the children. Anemia (48.8%) was associated with age (3-4 vs 5-12 years old; odds ratio (OR): 5.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81-12.21). Underweight (10%) was associated with male sex (OR: 5.97; CI: 1.12-31.72), higher eosinophil count (OR: 4.67; CI: 1.31-16.68) and education of the mother (OR: 0.6; CI: 0.4-0.9). Stunting (31.3%) was associated with education of the mother (OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72-0.95); wasting (2.7%) was associated with higher eosinophil count (OR: 2.75; CI: 1.04-7.25). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and malnutrition remain significant problems in the Peruvian highlands. These findings suggest that demographic factors, socio-economic status, and possibly parasitic infections intertwine to cause these health problems.

Motivators of and barriers to drug checking engagement in British Columbia, Canada: Findings from a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Responding to increasing rates of illicit drug toxicity mortality in British Columbia, regional health authorities introduced various types and models of drug checking services starting in 2016. Uptake has been gradual yet consistent, but motivators and barriers of service use have not been well-described. METHODS: The British Columbia Harm Reduction Client Survey is a cross-sectional survey conducted at harm reduction sites across British Columbia. Data for the present findings were collected between March 2021 and January 2022. Participants (n = 537) were asked about their use of drug checking services and what prevented them from using available services. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of all participants, 519 (96.6 %) answered the survey question on drug checking with 144 (27.7 %) reporting having used services within six months. Participants highlighted barriers such as not knowing where to access services (21.0 %), or not having services in their area (10.0 %). Among people who did not report recent use of fentanyl, 49.6 % stated they would not use their drugs if they tested positive for fentanyl. Other harm reduction behaviors were positively associated with drug checking, such as use of overdose prevention sites (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.75, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.65, 4.59) and having a naloxone kit (AOR: 2.67, 95 %CI: 1.14, 6.28). Receipt of opioid agonist therapy in the previous six months was also positively associated with drug checking (AOR: 1.72, 95 %CI: 1.05, 2.83). DISCUSSION: Drug checking uptake remains low in British Columbia, however this study identified desire for services among participants, suggesting a need for expanded drug checking services. Behavioral change was reported among a high proportion of people who said they would not use their drugs if they tested positive for fentanyl, meaning that immunoassay strips alone have utility in the context of a pervasive fentanyl supply.

Decriminalization thresholds for drug possession: A multi-criteria policy analysis framework.

BACKGROUND: Decriminalization of personal possession of drugs has been proposed as an approach to mitigate the harms of drug prohibition. Despite growing interest, particularly in Canadian settings, analyses of approaches to defining the parameters of what constitutes personal possession within decriminalization models are lacking. Using the Province of British Columbia, Canada, as a case study, we undertook an evidence-based multi-criteria policy analysis of three models for defining personal possession: 1) a model that defines personal possession as the absence of evidence of drug trafficking; 2) a cumulative threshold of 15 grams; and 3) a cumulative threshold of 2.5 grams. METHODS: We utilized data from four sources: qualitative interviews with 16 experts, including representatives from government and law enforcement; Vancouver Police drug seizure data; self-reported drug consumption data from longitudinal cohorts of people who use drugs in Vancouver; and publicly available government documents (e.g., the Government of BC's submission for decriminalization). Data was used to identify and define evaluation criteria which reflect the stated policy objectives of decriminalization alongside other policy considerations. This framework was used to conduct a multi-criteria policy analysis of the three different models. RESULTS: The seven evaluation criteria included: 1) reduction in interactions with police; 2) reduction of police drug seizures; 3) coverage for those with high consumption; 4) impact on equity-deserving groups; and acceptance on the part key stakeholders, including: 5) people who use drugs; 6) law enforcement; and 7) the public. The model that performed the best was the cumulative threshold model of 15 grams. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight that different threshold models advance and constrain the stated policy objectives of drug decriminalization to varying degrees. This analysis provides a framework that other jurisdictions considering decriminalization could use to help inform determinations of threshold levels based on stated policy objectives.

Smoking identified as preferred mode of opioid safe supply use; investigating correlates of smoking preference through a 2021 cross-sectional study in British Columbia.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia (BC) has led to calls for a regulated (pharmaceutical grade) supply of substances ("safe supply"). In order to inform safe supply recommendations, we aimed to identify why people currently smoke opioids and assess the preferred mode of consumption if people who use opioids were provided with opioid safe supply. METHODS: The BC Harm Reduction Client Survey (HRCS) is an annual survey that gathers information about people who use drugs' (PWUD) substance use characteristic with the goal of contributing to evidence-based policy. This study utilized data from the 2021 HRCS. The outcome variable was "prefer smoking opioid safe supply" ('yes/no'). Explanatory variables included participants' demographics, drug use, and overdose characteristics. Bivariate and hierarchical multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with the outcome. RESULTS: Of 282 total participants who indicated a preference for a mode of consumption for opioid safe supply, 62.4% preferred a smokable option and 19.9% preferred to inject if provided with opioid safe supply. Variables significantly associated with the outcome (preferred smoking) included: being 19-29 years old (AOR=5.95, CI =1.93 - 18.31) compared to >50 years old, having witnessed an overdose in the last 6 months (AOR=2.26, CI=1.20 - 4.28), having smoked opioids in the last 3 days (AOR=6.35, CI=2.98 - 13.53) and having a preference to smoke stimulants safe supply (AOR=5.04, CI=2.53 - 10.07). CONCLUSION: We found that over half of participants prefer smokable options when accessing opioid safe supply. Currently in BC, there are limited smokable opioid safe supply options as alternatives to the toxic street supply. To reduce overdose deaths, safe supply options should be expanded to accommodate PWUD that prefer smoking opioids.

Awareness, predictors and outcomes of drug alerts among people who access harm reduction services in British Columbia, Canada: findings from a 2021 cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the awareness and predictors of seeing/hearing a drug alert in British Columbia (BC) and subsequent drug use behaviour after seeing/hearing an alert. METHODS: This study analysed the 2021 BC harm reduction client survey (HRCS)-a cross-sectional self-reported survey administered at harm reduction sites throughout the province and completed by participants using the services. RESULTS: In total, n=537 respondents participated and n=482 (89.8%) responded to the question asking if they saw/heard a drug alert. Of those, n=300 (62.2%) stated that they saw/heard a drug alert and almost half reported hearing from a friend or peer network; the majority (67.4%) reported altering their drug use behaviour to be safer after seeing/hearing a drug alert. The proportion of individuals who saw/heard a drug alert increased with each ascending age category. Among health authorities, there were significant differences in the odds of seeing/hearing an alert. In the past 6 months, the odds of participants who attended harm reduction sites a few times per month seeing/hearing an alert were 2.73 (95% CI: 1.17 to 6.52) times the odds of those who did not. Those who attended more frequently were less likely to report seeing/hearing a drug alert. The odds of those who witnessed an opioid-related overdose in the past 6 months seeing/hearing an alert were 1.96 (95% CI: 0.86 to 4.50) times the odds of those who had not. CONCLUSION: We found that drug alerts were mostly disseminated through communication with friends or peers and that most participants altered their drug use behaviour after seeing/hearing a drug alert. Therefore, drug alerts can play a role in reducing harms from substance use and more work is needed to reach diverse populations, such as younger people, those in differing geographical locations, and those who attend harm reduction sites more frequently.

Translating the lived experience of illicit drinkers into program guidance for cannabis substitution: Experiences from the Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study.

A small but growing body of research has suggested the potential for cannabis substitution to support Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) service users to reduce acute and chronic alcohol-related harms. In 2022, researchers from the Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study (CMAPS) noted a dearth of accessible, alcohol-specific educational resources to support service users and program staff to implement cannabis substitution pilots at several MAP sites in Canada. In this essay, we draw on over 10-years of collaboration between CMAPS, and organizations of people with lived experience (the Eastside Illicit Drinkers Group for Education (EIDGE) and SOLID Victoria) to describe our experiences co-creating cannabis education resources where none existed to support MAP sites interested in beginning to provide cannabis to participants. The research team relied on the unique lived experiences and informal cannabis-related harm reduction strategies described by EIDGE and SOLID members to create cannabis education resources that were accurate and relevant to MAP sites. EIDGE was familiar with creating peer-oriented educational resources and convened meetings and focus groups to engage peers. CMAPS research team members created standard cannabis unit equivalencies to support program delivery, and clinical advisors ensured that the stated risks and benefits of cannabis substitution, as well as tapering guidance for withdrawal management, were safe and feasible. The collaboration ultimately produced tailored client-facing and provider-facing resources. Our experience demonstrates that the lived expertise of drinkers can play an integral role in creating alcohol harm reduction informational materials, specifically those related to cannabis substitution, when combined with data from rigorous, community-based programs of research like CMAPS. We close by listing additional considerations for cannabis substitution program design for MAP settings emerging from this process of collaboration between illicit drinkers, service providers, clinicians, and researchers for consideration by other programs.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of chlorhexidine salts as potential alternatives to potassium dichromate for Eimeria maxima M6 oocyst preservation.

Introduction: Coccidiosis caused by the Eimeria spp., an Apicomplexan protozoon, is a major intestinal disease that affects the poultry industry. Although most cases of coccidiosis are subclinical, Eimeria infections impair bird health and decrease overall performance, which can result in compromised welfare and major economic losses. Viable sporulated Eimeria oocysts are required for challenge studies and live coccidiosis vaccines. Potassium dichromate (PDC) is typically used as a preservative for these stocks during storage. Although effective and inexpensive, PDC is also toxic and carcinogenic. Chlorhexidine (CHX) salts may be a possible alternative, as this is a widely used disinfectant with less toxicity and no known carcinogenic associations. Methods: In vitro testing of CHX gluconate and CHX digluconate exhibited comparable oocyst integrity and viability maintenance with equivalent bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity to PDC. Subsequent use of CHX gluconate or digluconate-preserved Eimeria oocysts, cold-stored at 4°C for 5 months, as the inoculum also resulted in similar oocyst shedding and recovery rates when compared to PDC-preserved oocysts. Results and discussion: These data show that using 0.20% CHX gluconate could be a suitable replacement for PDC. Additionally, autofluorescence was used as a method to evaluate oocyst viability. Administration of artificially aged oocysts exhibiting >99% autofluorescence from each preserved treatment resulted in no oocyst output for CHX salt groups.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Phytogenic Substances against Secret Killers in Poultry: Current Status and Prospects.

Chronic stress is recognized as a secret killer in poultry. It is associated with systemic inflammation due to cytokine release, dysbiosis, and the so-called leaky gut syndrome, which mainly results from oxidative stress reactions that damage the barrier function of the cells lining the gut wall. Poultry, especially the genetically selected broiler breeds, frequently suffer from these chronic stress symptoms when exposed to multiple stressors in their growing environments. Since oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory damages are multi-stage and long-term processes, overshooting immune reactions and their down-stream effects also negatively affect the animal's microbiota, and finally impair its performance and commercial value. Means to counteract oxidative stress in poultry and other animals are, therefore, highly welcome. Many phytogenic substances, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are known to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this review, firstly, the main stressors in poultry, such as heat stress, mycotoxins, dysbiosis and diets that contain oxidized lipids that trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, are discussed, along with the key transcription factors involved in the related signal transduction pathways. Secondly, the most promising phytogenic substances and their current applications to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in poultry are highlighted.

Motivations for concurrent use of uppers and downers among people who access harm reduction services in British Columbia, Canada: findings from the 2019 Harm Reduction Client Survey.

INTRODUCTION: An increase in crystal methamphetamine (methamphetamine) use during the overdose epidemic is being observed in British Columbia (BC), Canada, and across North America. Concurrent use (ie, using uppers and downers one after the other or together) can increase the risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose. OBJECTIVES: We investigated motivations for concurrent use of uppers and downers, specifically how (eg, in what order) and why people use concurrently, to identify potential interventions to prevent overdose and other harms. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The 2019 Harm Reduction Client Survey was administered across 22 harm reduction supply distribution sites in BC (n=621). This thematic analysis examined 307 responses by people who affirmed concurrent use to classify order and reasons for using uppers and downers concurrently. RESULTS: Of the 307 people who responded 'yes' to concurrent use, 179 (58.3%) used downers then uppers, 76 (24.8%) used uppers then downers and 184 (59.9%) mixed uppers and downers together. Four main reasons for concurrent use emerged: self-medication, availability and preference, drug effects/properties, and financial and life situation. People who mixed drugs together predominantly wanted to achieve desired drug effects/properties, such as a specific high or balancing stimulating and sedating effects. CONCLUSIONS: The ongoing rise in overdoses in BC is multifactorial, and the recent parallel increases in methamphetamine use and concurrent use with opioids may contribute. Qualitative interviews may further elucidate reasons for concurrent use. Addressing reasons for concurrent use identified in this study through harm reduction strategies and education may affect the rates of overdose morbidity and mortality.

Going Local to Global through Technology-Needs Assessment and Development of a Virtual Arctic Youth Wellbeing Network.

Strengths-based approaches to suicide prevention and life promotion in circumpolar regions must engage youth participation and leadership given the impact of suicide on this demographic. We describe the development of a youth-engaged community of practice (CoP) across circumpolar regions, and adaptations to the ECHO model as a foundation for this virtual CoP. We describe youth priorities for learning in the area of mental health and wellbeing, identified through a learning needs assessment. A curriculum was developed to address key areas of interest, including: cultural approaches to mental wellbeing; language-based approaches to mental wellbeing; resilience; government and policy; and suicide prevention. We describe steps taken to adapt the ECHO model, and to introduce Indigenous pedagogical and knowledge sharing approaches into the CoP in order to meet youth learning interests. We conclude that this virtual CoP was a feasible way to create a learning community, and suggest that a priority future direction will be to evaluate the impacts of this virtual CoP on youth engagement, satisfaction and learning.

Experimental Cyclic Heat Stress on Intestinal Permeability, Bone Mineralization, Leukocyte Proportions and Meat Quality in Broiler Chickens.

The goal of this research was to assess cyclic heat stress on gut permeability, bone mineralization, and meat quality in chickens. Two separate trials were directed. 320 day-of-hatch Cobb 500 male chicks were randomly assigned to four thermoneutral (TN) and four cyclic heat stress (HS) chambers with two pens each, providing eight replicates per treatment in each trial (n = 20 chicks/replicate). Environmental conditions in the TN group were established to simulate commercial production settings. Heat stress chickens were exposed to cyclic HS at 35 °C for 12 h/day from days 7−42. Performance parameters, intestinal permeability, bone parameters, meat quality, and leukocyte proportions were estimated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in body weight (BW), BW gain, and feed intake, but the feed conversion ratio increased in chickens under cyclic HS. Moreover, HS chickens had a significantly higher gut permeability, monocyte and basophil levels, but less bone mineralization than TN chickens. Nevertheless, the TN group had significant increases in breast yield, woody breast, and white striping in breast fillets compared to HS. These results present an alternative model to our previously published continuous HS model to better reflect commercial conditions to evaluate commercially available nutraceuticals or products with claims of reducing the severity of heat stress.