International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (2021). 7(4)
Abstract
Illicit drugs are marketed both via dark web platforms and social media, but there are also research reports buying these drugs online. This study is intended to analyse the risk factors for the purchase of online illicit drugs. We assumed that social interactions, low levels of self-control, and impaired mental health would be correlated with online opioid sales following criminological and addiction analysis research. Moreover, online drug sales are expected to be related to low self-control and daily drug consumption. Participants in this nationwide study were aged 15 to 25 years and lived in Germany (N=1,732) and France (N=1,732). Measures of impulsivity, ability sensitivity, social association, psychological tension, and repetitive activity (drinking, gambling, and Internet use) predicted online drug use. 4% of German and French respondents reported buying drugs online of which, 63% did so via social media services. Online opioid purchases were associated with lower self-control, elevated social anxiety, heavy gambling, and Internet use, as shown by multinomial logistic regression and binary intervention regression models. It was not a risk factor to have online friends, but close social links with offline friends served as a security factor. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to mainstream social media services as a source for buying drugs as there are many psychological and self-control issues among online drug consumers.
Abstract Illicit drugs are marketed both via dark web platforms and social media, but there are also research reports buying these drugs online. This study is intended to analyse the [...]
International Journal of Socio-Economic and Environmental Outlook (2021). 8(4)
Abstract
Humans have consumed psychoactive substances for millennia, and these substances have played an important role in human culture and human work. The development of new drugs and research into the nature and treatment of addictions are only the most obvious areas of innovation that could transform the field. Others include real-time data collection using the Internet, cell phones, and microchip monitoring, as well as analytics and telemetry technology to record environmental stimuli, drug use, cognitive performance, physiological state, and behavior. Future research on policy issues such as the effectiveness of different ways to control addictive drugs and behaviors to reduce harms and maximize benefits will continue to be needed.
Abstract Humans have consumed psychoactive substances for millennia, and these substances have played an important role in human culture and human work. The development of new drugs [...]
World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development (2017). 3(8)
Abstract
Crystal methamphetamine is an extremely addictive stimulant that increases sexual arousal while reducing inhibition and judgment. Its use is associated with a range of high-risk sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Given the relatively high prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use among people living with HIV and among men who have sex with men, there is great concern that this drug is fueling the HIV epidemic. Equally worrisome are the effects that crystal methamphetamine use can have on the prognosis and overall health of HIV-infected patients. This article reports the results of a pilot study that is part of a larger project exploring the correlates of antiretroviral therapy drug resistance.
Abstract Crystal methamphetamine is an extremely addictive stimulant that increases sexual arousal while reducing inhibition and judgment. Its use is associated with a range of high-risk [...]
World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development (2017). 3(8)
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections appear to be an increasing problem in several European countries, especially among teenagers 16-19 years old. This may indicate that adolescents lack the necessary information and options which can help them lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. In this work, basic sexually transmitted infections knowledge and awareness and comprehensive Human Papilloma Virus awareness of school-going adolescence aged 12-20 years was assessed using a systematic literature search and a multi-centric school-based survey. Results of this work can help point out areas where sexually transmitted diseases risk communication for adolescents needs to be improved.
Abstract Sexually transmitted infections appear to be an increasing problem in several European countries, especially among teenagers 16-19 years old. This may indicate that adolescents [...]
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development (2020). 7(1):154-156
Abstract
HIV infects millions of individuals worldwide, and new things still emerge. Once infected, the virus cannot be cleared by the system and causes non-heritable immunological disorder syndrome. Combination antiretroviral therapeutic program effectively suppresses microorganism replication and halts malady progression. The treatment, however, doesn't eliminate the virus-infected cells, and interruption of treatment inevitably leads to microorganism rebound. The rebound virus originates from a gaggle of virus-infected cells named because the cellular reservoir of HIV. Distinctive and eliminating the HIV reservoir can stop microorganism rebound and cure HIV infection. During this review, we tend to concentrate on a recently discovered HIV reservoir during a set of CD4+ T cells referred to as the vesicle helper T (TFH) cells. We tend to describe the probable mechanisms for the looks of reservoir in TFH cells, and therefore the ways to focus on and eliminate this microorganism reservoir.
Abstract HIV infects millions of individuals worldwide, and new things still emerge. Once infected, the virus cannot be cleared by the system and causes non-heritable immunological [...]
The response to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients is limited by the emergence of drug resistance. This resistance is a consequence of the high rate of HIV mutation, the high rate of viral replication (especially when potent multidrug therapies are not used or taken reliably), and the selective effect of these drugs, which favors emergence of mutations that can establish clinical drug resistance. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, which typically includes at least 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, for most treatment-naive patients results in a reduction of viral load below the limit of detection determined by currently available HIV RNA assays. It is this marked reduction that results in durable viral suppression, usually only possible by the simultaneous use of 3 or 4 drugs. The reverse transcriptase inhibitor components of highly active antiretroviral therapy are crucial for such benefits of combination therapy. Specific amino acid changes are associated with resistance to several reverse transcriptase inhibitors, but new mutation complexes have been observed that can confer broad cross-resistance within this class. Genotypic and phenotypic resistance assays to measure drug resistance are being developed, but refinements in both methodology and our ability to interpret the results of these assays are necessary before they are introduced into widespread clinical use.
Abstract The response to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients is limited by the emergence of drug resistance. This resistance is a consequence of [...]
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (2019). Volume 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Drug discovery and development involve the utilization of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Different models, ranging from test tube experiments to cell cultures, animals, healthy human subjects, and even small numbers of patients that are involved in clinical trials, are used at different stages of drug discovery and development for determination of efficacy and safety. The proper selection and applications of correct models, as well as appropriate data interpretation, are critically important in decision making and successful advancement of drug candidates. In this review, we discuss strategies in the applications of both in vitro and in vivo experimental models of drug metabolism and disposition.
Abstract Drug discovery and development involve the utilization of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Different models, ranging from test tube experiments to cell cultures, [...]
Trends in Cell & Molecular Biology (2013). Volume 8
Abstract
Adipose tissue is derived from the embryonic mesenchyme and contains a stroma that can be easily isolated. Preliminary studies have recently identified a putative stem cell population within the adipose stromal compartment. This cell population can differentiate to the osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Enzymatic digestion, the commonly used method of adipose-derived stromal cells isolation, is time consuming and expensive, especially when applied to large volumes of tissue. Additionally, mechanical stress during isolation, use of bacterial-derived products and potential contamination with endotoxins and xenoantigens are other disadvantages of this method. In this study, the characteristics of the cells obtained by adipose tissue explant culture were studied. This technique can be used to reproducibly isolate mesenchymal stromal cells from fat tissue obtained by liposuction as well as surgical resection. Explant culture gave higher yield of cells than digestion method after primary culture. Therefore, explant culture can be used as an effective way to isolate adipose-derived stromal cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, especially in cases of limited starting material.
Abstract Adipose tissue is derived from the embryonic mesenchyme and contains a stroma that can be easily isolated. Preliminary studies have recently identified a putative stem cell [...]
Most patients starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) show suppression of HIV replication below the level of detection (currently <50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL in most assays), and experience a gradual rise in CD4 lymphocyte count, which may continue for several years. The CD4 count response is generally related to the degree of viral load suppression, and this typical pattern of CD4 and viral load response is associated with a marked improvement in prognosis. In some patients, however, there is discordance in the response. Either there is suppression of viral load but poor recovery of immune function, characterized by little or no CD4 cell count increase or, conversely, an improvement in CD4 cell count with incomplete or delayed viral load suppression. Little is known about the pathogenesis of discordant responses, which seems to depend on the interaction of a multitude of viral, host and treatment-related factors. Available evidence indicates that discordant responses are associated with an intermediate risk of death or clinical progression. At present, recommendations for the clinical management of patients with discordant responses to antiretroviral therapy are largely based on observational, uncontrolled data. The development of standardized and universally accepted definitions of discordant responses is necessary to allow meaningful comparisons between studies to be made, as well as to help in the design of trials of possible therapeutic interventions.
Abstract Most patients starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) show suppression of HIV replication below the level of detection (currently <50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL [...]
Vaccines are critical components for protecting HIV-infected adults from an increasing number of preventable diseases. However, missed opportunities for vaccination among HIV-infected persons persist, likely due to concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines, as well as the changing nature of vaccine guidelines. In addition, the optimal timing of vaccination among HIV-infected adults with regard to HIV stage and receipt of antiretroviral therapy remain an important question. This article provides a review of the current recommendations regarding vaccines among HIV-infected adults and a comprehensive summary of the evidence-based literature of the benefits and risks of vaccines among this vulnerable population.
Abstract Vaccines are critical components for protecting HIV-infected adults from an increasing number of preventable diseases. However, missed opportunities for vaccination among [...]
Internet drug trading: national review of new online drug markets for young people 
