"Black out or back out": Understanding the alcohol habits, behaviors, and motivations of generation Z students.

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative phenomenological study explored alcohol habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z students (born 1996-2010). Participants: Thirteen participants met selection criteria: aged 18-24 years (thus, part of Gen Z), enrolled as at either the University or community college, and able to share experiences. Maximum variation was sought for race/ethnicity, Greek life/sorority involvement and hometown regional area. Methods: Semi-structured interviews elicited detailed descriptions of lived experiences. Saldana's First Cycle/Second Cycle constant comparative method was used for data analysis. Results: Five themes were identified: Motivations to Drink, Know My Limits, Exceeding Limits Leads to Risky Behaviors, Hangover Anxiety ("Hangxiety"), and Greek Life Influence. Additionally, the subtheme Internal Thoughts and Rationalizations was identified. Conclusion: Unique characteristics and unprecedented times contribute to alcohol consumption behaviors of Gen Z students. These findings hold an awareness to assist in the provision of education, support, and needed resources.

Hypoxia-activated neuropeptide Y/Y5 receptor/RhoA pathway triggers chromosomal instability and bone metastasis in Ewing sarcoma.

Adverse prognosis in Ewing sarcoma (ES) is associated with the presence of metastases, particularly in bone, tumor hypoxia and chromosomal instability (CIN). Yet, a mechanistic link between these factors remains unknown. We demonstrate that in ES, tumor hypoxia selectively exacerbates bone metastasis. This process is triggered by hypoxia-induced stimulation of the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/Y5 receptor (Y5R) pathway, which leads to RhoA over-activation and cytokinesis failure. These mitotic defects result in the formation of polyploid ES cells, the progeny of which exhibit high CIN, an ability to invade and colonize bone, and a resistance to chemotherapy. Blocking Y5R in hypoxic ES tumors prevents polyploidization and bone metastasis. Our findings provide evidence for the role of the hypoxia-inducible NPY/Y5R/RhoA axis in promoting genomic changes and subsequent osseous dissemination in ES, and suggest that targeting this pathway may prevent CIN and disease progression in ES and other cancers rich in NPY and Y5R.