Correlates of cannabis use in a sample of mental health treatment-seeking Canadian armed forces members and veterans.

OBJECTIVE: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans are more likely to experience mental health (MH) conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), than the general Canadian population. Previous research suggests that an increasing number of individuals are employing cannabis for MH symptom relief, despite a lack of robust evidence for its effectiveness in treating PTSD. This research aimed to: (1) describe the prevalence of current cannabis use among MH treatment-seeking CAF members and Veterans; and (2) estimate the association between current cannabis use and a number of sociodemographic, military, and MH-related characteristics. METHOD: Using cross-sectional intake data from 415 CAF members and Veterans attending a specialized outpatient MH clinic in Ontario, Canada, between January 2018 and December 2020, we estimated the proportion of CAF members and Veterans who reported current cannabis use for either medical or recreational purposes. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios for a number of sociodemographic, military, and MH-related variables and current cannabis use. RESULTS: Almost half of the study participants (n = 187; 45.1%) reported current cannabis use. Respondents who reported current cannabis use for medical purposes had a higher median daily dose than those who reported current cannabis use for recreational purposes. The multivariable logistic regression identified younger age, lower income, potentially hazardous alcohol use, and increased bodily pain as statistically significant correlates of current cannabis use among our MH treatment-seeking sample. PTSD severity, depressive severity, sleep quality, and suicide ideation were not statistically associated with current cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of our treatment-seeking sample reported current cannabis use for medical or recreational purposes, emphasizing the importance of screening MH treatment-seeking military members and Veterans for cannabis use prior to commencing treatment. Future research building upon this study could explore the potential impact of cannabis use on MH outcomes.

Drought stress mitigation by foliar application of L-carnitine and its effect on radish morphophysiology.

Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting crop production worldwide, with drought events being expected to be harsher and more frequent due to the global warming. In this context, the development of strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of drought, such as the use of biostimulants, is imperative. Radish is a globally cultivated root vegetable, with high nutritional and phytochemical value. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of exogenous carnitine application in the mitigation of drought stress on radish morphophysiology. For this, radish plants were grown for 30 days, being irrigated with 80% (well-watered) or 15% (drought stress) of water holding capacity and sprayed with carnitine (5, 50, and 500 µM) or water (0 µM-no carnitine). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme (carnitine concentrations × water conditions) with six replicates, and each experimental unit consisted of one plant. The gas exchanges, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and biomass production and allocation were evaluated. Drought reduced the photosynthetic capacity of plants by impairing water balance and membrane integrity, decreasing biomass accumulation, mainly in globular roots. The application of low carnitine (5 µM) mitigated these negative effects caused by drought, increasing membrane integrity and water balance of plants, while higher carnitine concentration (50 and 500 µM) aggravated drought stress. This study highlights the potential of carnitine in the mitigation of drought stress on radish plants, supporting its role as a biostimulant. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01308-6.

Use of mammals in a semi-arid region of Brazil: an approach to the use value and data analysis for conservation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to survey the knowledge and use of mammals by the residents of the rural community of Capivara in the municipality of Solânea (Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil) and to propose a new method of using the use value as a tool for data analysis in ethnozoological surveys. METHODS: The uses attributed to mammals were recorded through semi-structured interviews conducted with the breadwinners (men and women) living in the community. The species were identified through guided tours, by descriptions made by the interviewees, and using specimens donated by them, as well as by comparison with the pertinent scientific literature (morphological and ecological). Through the use value differentiated analysis, it was possible to distinguish the current use value of the species (effective use) from their potential use value (knowledge, but no effective use) to determine their real importance related to the uses cited by the studied group. RESULTS: Nineteen species were cited; however, only 17 of them were identified and then distributed in 13 families. The other species were identified at the genus level Leopardus sp. and order Rodentia. The species were classified into 6 categories of use: food, captive breeding, zootherapeutic, artisanal, magic/religious, and veterinary purposes. CONCLUSIONS: This article discusses possible conservation solutions, given the irregular exploitation of some species, warning about the biodiversity, and traditional knowledge conservation.

Local knowledge, use, and conservation of wild birds in the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The use of wild birds, for several purposes, is directly associated with cultural, ecological, and conservation issues. This study aimed to inventory the wild birds known and used in three communities in Paraíba state, northeast Brazil, and to investigate the sociocultural context in which these activities occur. METHODS: A total of 179 people (98 women and 81 men) were interviewed. Data were collected through free interviews, using semi-structured forms, and posing questions about the use of local wild birds. The species were identified by direct observation of the birds, analysis of photographic records, and the use of a scientific guide. RESULTS: Each species' use value (UV) was calculated in three different ways: UVgeneral, UVcurrent, and UVpotential. These UVs ranged from 0.01 to 1.15 for UVg, 0 to 0.21 for UVc, and 0.01 to 1.02 for UVp. A total of 99 species, 81 genera, and 40 families were recorded and classified into the use categories of food, breeding, and medicinal. Thraupidae (12 species), Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Icteridae (8 species each) were the most diverse families. CONCLUSIONS: The use of wild birds is a widespread activity in the studied areas, where many species are used. This demonstrates the need to conduct studies to assess the pressure suffered by these bird species, as well as the need to create public policies that intervene in the use and conservation of wild birds.

Evidences for the Anti-panic Actions of Cannabidiol.

BACKGROUND: Panic disorder (PD) is a disabling psychiatry condition that affects approximately 5% of the worldwide population. Currently, long-term selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for PD; however, the common side-effect profiles and drug interactions may provoke patients to abandon the treatment, leading to PD symptoms relapse. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychotomimetic constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant with antianxiety properties that has been suggested as an alternative for treating anxiety disorders. The aim of the present review was to discuss the effects and mechanisms involved in the putative anti-panic effects of CBD. METHODS: electronic database was used as source of the studies selected selected based on the studies found by crossing the following keywords: cannabidiol and panic disorder; canabidiol and anxiety, cannabidiol and 5-HT1A receptor). RESULTS: In the present review, we included both experimental laboratory animal and human studies that have investigated the putative anti-panic properties of CBD. Taken together, the studies assessed clearly suggest an anxiolytic-like effect of CBD in both animal models and healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: CBD seems to be a promising drug for the treatment of PD. However, novel clinical trials involving patients with the PD diagnosis are clearly needed to clarify the specific mechanism of action of CBD and the safe and ideal therapeutic doses of this compound.

[The use of playing by the nursing staff on palliative care for children with cancer]. / O uso do brincar pela equipe de enfermagem no cuidado paliativo de crianças com cancer.

This study aimed to describe ways of using play by the nursing staff on palliative care of children with cancer and analyze the facilitators and barriers of the use of playing on this type of care. Qualitative, descriptive research developed on November 2012 with 11 health professionals, in a public hospital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of the information were conducted. The use of playing before procedures was highlighted as a facilitator on palliative care. The child's physical condition, one's restriction, resistance of some professionals and the lack of time for developing this activity, made the use of play harder. We concluded that playing enables the child with cancer, in palliative care, a humanized assistance, being fundamental to integrate it on the care for these children.

The use of playing by the nursing staff on palliative care for children with cancer / El uso de jugar del equipo de enfermería en cuidados paliativos de niños con cáncer / O uso do brincar pela equipe de enfermagem no cuidado paliativo de crianças com câncer

This study aimed to describe ways of using play by the nursing staff on palliative care of children with cancer and analyze the facilitators and barriers of the use of playing on this type of care. Qualitative, descriptive research developed on November 2012 with 11 health professionals, in a public hospital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of the information were conducted. The use of playing before procedures was highlighted as a facilitator on palliative care. The child's physical condition, one's restriction, resistance of some professionals and the lack of time for developing this activity, made the use of play harder. We concluded that playing enables the child with cancer, in palliative care, a humanized assistance, being fundamental to integrate it on the care for these children.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivos describir las formas de utilizar el jugar por parte del personal de enfermería en los cuidados paliativos para los niños con cáncer y analizar las ventajas y dificultades de la utilización de jugar en el cuidado. Estudio descriptivo cualitativo, realizado en noviembre de 2012, con 11 profesionales de la salud, en un hospital público en el estado de Río de Janeiro. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y el análisis de la información. El uso de los juguetes antes de la realización de los procedimientos fue designado como facilitador en los cuidados paliativos. La condición física del niño, la moderación, la resistencia de algunos profesionales y la falta de tiempo para desarrollar esta actividad, obstaculizan el uso del juego. Llegamos a la conclusión de que el juego proporciona al niño con cáncer en cuidados paliativos servicio humanizado y es esencial para integrarlo con cuidado.

O estudo teve como objetivos descrever as formas de utilização do brincar pela equipe de enfermagem no cuidado paliativo de crianças com câncer e analisar as facilidades e dificuldades do uso do brincar neste cuidado. Estudo qualitativo descritivo, realizado em novembro de 2012, com 11 profissionais de saúde em um hospital público do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise temática das informações. A utilização de brinquedos antes da realização de procedimentos foi apontada como facilitador no cuidado paliativo. A condição física da criança, sua restrição e, também, a resistência de alguns profissionais, bem como a falta de tempo para o desenvolvimento dessa atividade, dificultaram o uso do brincar. Conclui-se que o brincar proporciona à criança com câncer em cuidados paliativos um atendimento humanizado, sendo fundamental integrá-lo aos cuidados a essas crianças.

Estudo comparativo do uso de pigmentação exógena como adjuvante à luz intensa pulsada no tratamento de melanoses solares do dorso das mãos / Comparative study of the use of exogenous pigmentation as an adjuvant therapy to Intense Pulsed Light in the treatment of melanoses on the dorsum of the hands

Introdução: O fotodano intenso e crônico geralmente produz inúmeras queratoses actínicas, sendo importante o tratamento precoce e global da pele acometida. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de dois tratamentos distintos para ceratoses actínicas múltiplas. Métodos: Foram selecionados 5 pacientes com ceratoses actinicas difusas no dorso de mãos e antebraços foram submetidos ao seguinte protocolo: lado A (direito) peeling químico superficial quinzenal com ácido glicólico 70% em gel seguido de solução de 5-fluoracil 5%; lado B (esquerdo) criopeeling mensal. O número de sessões variou de quatro a seis no lado A e de duas a três no lado B, de acordo com o grau de fotodano. Resultados: Todos os pacientes apresentaram resposta clínica satisfatória, com melhora das ceratoses actínicas e de toda área de dano actínico, com boa tolerância dos pacientes ao tratamento, apenas com a ressalva de que ao criopeeling segue-se eritema mais intensoe persistente. Conclusões: As duas terapêuticas utilizadas constituem-se em alternativas válidas e eficazes para tratamento do "campo de cancerização".

Introduction: The use of exogenous pigmentation as an adjuvant therapy to Intense Pulsed Light in the treatment of melanoses is routine, nevertheless there is an absence of published comparative studies. Objective: To compare Intense Pulsed Light therapy in isolation, or combined with exogenous pigmentation in the treatment of solar lentigines on the dorsum of the hands. Methods: Twenty women (mean age = 56.5 years) with skin types from I to III, underwent three sessions of Intense Pulsed Light, with a brown makeup pencil pigment reinforcement being applied to the lesions on the right hand. The patients were queried about the degree of discomfort, swelling, crusting, and improvement experienced, their treatment of preference and which they felt provided greater effectiveness, and the incidence of side effects. Results: When assessing all three of the treatment sessions together, the median discomfort score, as well as the degree of inflammation and crusting (p < 0.01), were higher on the right hand. Regarding the subjective impression of the final result, 15 in 20 patients preferred the technique applied on the right hand, considering it more effective (p < 0.01). Eleven in 20 patients reported fewer side effects in the un-pigmented side (p = 0.12). The degree of discomfort did not correlate significantly with the preferred technique (p = 0.67). Conclusions: In this sample, there was a preference for the method with the adjuvant use of exogenous pigmentation, however the incidence of pain and side effects was higher in this group.