scholarly journals Retrospective Analyses of High-risk NPS: Integrative Analyses of PubMed, Drug Fora, and the Surface Web

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medline Database ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Integrative Analyses ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Surface Web

BACKGROUND: Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) can be classified based on their safety for use into low-risk and high-risk. High-risk NPS can be either lethal or poisonous. Fatalities can be either pharmacological or behavioural-induced, including suicide and homicide.MATERIALS & METHODS: Observational analysis, including retrospective, were implemented across; Google Trends, PubMed/MedLine database; Drug Fora, and the surface web. The aim was to collect data in relation to incidents of intoxication and fatalities caused by forty-seven (47) of the most popular NPS and to infer the high-risk (hazardous) substances. Geo-mapping was also applicable. Inferential analyses were also carried out to deduct data on the different age grouping of (ab)users.RESULTS: Among the most popular NPS substances, nearly half of them were labelled as high-risk due to their relatively high incidence of intoxications and deaths. The substances included; DMA/DOX, MXE, Mescaline, Methylone, Crack, GHB, Benzodiazepines, NBOMe, 2C-B, DMT, Stimulants RCs, Shrooms, Ketamine, Opioids, Heroin, Meth, Speed, LSD, MDMA, and Cocaine. Many of these substances were either psychedelic or dissociative substance. Geo-mapping of use indicated that the top ten contributing countries were; Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Estonia. The contribution of the Middle East was insignificant, although data have regularly been noticed originating from Israel, Iran, and Turkey.CONCLUSION: In this study, an unconventional inferential method is suggested for analysis of high-risk NPS; it is based on cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data. It relies primarily on data from; the surface web, Google Trends, PubMed/Medline database, and drug fora. This method is not only descriptive but also inferential for age and gender among (ab)users of a diverse array of high-risk NPS substances.

scholarly journals The NPS Phenomenon and the Deep Web: Trends Analyses and Internet Snapshots

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Ban A. AbdulMajeed
Keyword(s):  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Deep Web ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
Knowledge Discovery In Databases ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Surface Web ◽  
Mining Tools

BACKGROUND: In relation to the phenomenon of novel psychoactive substances, activities on the surface web represent only the tip of the iceberg. The majority of the electronic commerce (e-commerce) activities exist on the deep web and the darknet. Observational analytic studies are failing to keep pace with these activities; these studies are either obsolete beyond the point in time of the taken internet snapshot or highly-consuming for resources including time, funding, and manpower.MATERIALS & METHODS: Cross-sectional and retrospective analyses via multiple Internet snapshots were carried out across Google Trends database and the e-markets on the darknet. Google Trends were scanned retrospectively (2012-2016) for keywords specific to the deep web in an aim to estimate and geo-map of the attentiveness (interest) of surface web users in the deep web and its illicit activities.RESULTS: The attentiveness of surface web users in the deep web was noticed to be incremented during 2013 and 2014; the top ten contributing countries were Norway, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, Finland, and Netherlands. Middle Eastern countries contributed minimally including; Syria, Iran, Israel, UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Power scoring of e-markets revealed that the top five markets were; AlphaBay, Agora, Nucleus, Abraxas, and Hansa. The most common categories of NPS on these markets were; cannabis and cannabimimetic (1st), stimulants (2nd), empathogens (3rd), and psychedelics (4th).CONCLUSION: The e-commerce activities on the deep web and the darknet e-marketplace represent an integral component of the NPS e-phenomenon. Unfortunately, recent attempts to examine and study those unlawful activities are outdated. Hence, to achieve real-time and reliable data, the inclusion of data mining tools and knowledge discovery in databases are critical to ensuring a future victory.

scholarly journals Do sexual expectancies and inhibitions predict high-risk sexual behaviours? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey among young psychoactive substance users in the informal settlements of Kampala, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonny Ssekamatte ◽  
Simon P.S. Kibira ◽  
Moses Tetui ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Sexual Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

Abstract Background The use of psychoactive substances is a public health challenge among young people in informal settlements. Though rarely examined, the use of psychoactive substances is linked to sexual expectancies and inhibitions, and consequently high-risk sexual behaviours. This study examined the association between sexual expectancies and inhibitions on high-risk sexual behaviours among young psychoactive substance users (PSU) in the informal settlements of Kampala, Uganda.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 744 young PSU in the informal settlements of Kampala. Data were analysed using Stata 14 software. A ‘modified’ Poisson regression model was used for inferential statistics. Results Of the 744 study participants, 45.6% believed that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance; 43.3% believed that psychoactive substances make sex more pleasurable; while more than half (53.3%) believed that psychoactive substances give courage or confidence to approach a partner for sex. The belief that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance (PR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30), increases the likelihood of engaging in sex (PR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.40) or gives courage or confidence to approach a sexual partner (PR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.39) were positively associated with ever having sex while under the influence of psychoactive substances. The belief that a psychoactive substance user, under the influence of psychoactive substances is more likely to engage in sex (PR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15-1.90), and likely to find it difficult to refuse sex (PR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.55) were positively associated with engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. The belief that one easily forgets to use a condom when under the influence of psychoactive substances, was positively associated with inconsistent condom use (PR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09-1.45).Conclusion Psychoactive substance use expectancies such as the belief that psychoactive substances improve sexual performance, and give courage or confidence to approach a sexual partner, and inhibitions such as an increased likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse, finding difficulties in refusing to engage in sexual intercourse, and forgetting to use condoms while intoxicated predicted high-risk sexual behaviours among young PSU. Therefore, is essential to implement sexual and reproductive health and risk reduction interventions targeting young PSU in informal settlements.

scholarly journals The Most Popular Chemical Categories of NPS in Four Leading Countries of the Developed World: An Integrative Analysis of Trends Databases, Surface Web, and the Deep Web

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Ban A. AbdulMajeed
Keyword(s):  
Deep Web ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Developed World ◽  
Surface Web ◽  
Mining Tools

BACKGROUND: New psychoactive substances are very diverse; hundreds exist today. Several schemes exist to categorise them; NPS can be classified into Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics (1), Phenethylamines (2), Cathinones (3), Tryptamines (4), Piperazines (5), Pipradrol derivatives (6), and miscellaneous substances (7)MATERIALS & METHODS: Observational analyses via multiple internet snapshots will be carried out on the surface web and the deep web. The analyses will be hierarchical and integrative to infer the most popular categories of NPS based on the attentiveness (interest) of web users.RESULTS: Analysis of Google Trends from 2012 to the end of 2016, shows that interest in cannabinoids was the highest (98%), while all other chemical categories of NPS summed up to a tiny fragment (2%). The trends were highly oscillating over the years and shooting up during holiday seasons. Geo-mapping and localisation of the Middle East were not possible (not allowed) via Google Trends, while trends were attributed to four major leading countries of the developed world; US (35%), UK (17%), Canada (26%), and Australia (22%). Cannabinoids and stimulants were also found to be the most popular on the darknet.CONCLUSION: A novel method is proposed in this study; it has been carried out to provide an updated extrapolation on the most favoured chemical categories of NPS. This method is based on a combinatory examination at multiple levels of the surface web and the deep web. Furthermore, this method when potentially combined with data mining tools should provide unprecedented real-time analyses of high quality.

scholarly journals Do sexual expectancies and inhibitions predict high-risk sexual behaviours? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey among young psychoactive substance users in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonny Ssekamatte ◽  
Simon P. S. Kibira ◽  
Moses Tetui ◽  
John Bosco Isunju ◽  
Richard K. Mugambe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Sexual Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

Abstract Background Psychoactive substance use is a public health challenge among young people in informal settlements. Though rarely examined, psychoactive substance use is linked to sexual expectancies and inhibitions, and consequently high-risk sexual behaviours. This study examined the association between sexual expectancies and inhibitions, and high-risk sexual behaviours among young psychoactive substance users (PSUs) in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 744 young PSUs from informal settlements in Kampala. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit respondents. A ‘modified’ Poisson regression model was used for inferential statistics. Data were analysed using the Stata 14 software. Results Of the 744 study participants, 45.6% believed that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance; 43.3% believed that psychoactive substances make sex more pleasurable, and 53.3% believed that psychoactive substances give courage or confidence to approach a partner for sex. The belief that psychoactive substance use improves sexual performance (PR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.30), increases the likelihood of engaging in sex (PR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04–1.40) or gives courage or confidence to approach a sexual partner (PR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.39) were associated with having sex while under the influence of psychoactive substances. The belief that a psychoactive substance user under the influence of psychoactive substances is more likely to engage in sex (PR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15–1.90), and likely to find it difficult to refuse sex (PR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06–1.55) were positively associated with engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. The belief that one easily forgets to use a condom when under the influence of psychoactive substances was positively associated with inconsistent condom use (PR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09–1.45). Conclusion Psychoactive substance use expectancies associated with high-risk sexual behaviours included the belief that psychoactive substances improve sexual performance and improve confidence in approaching a sexual partner. Psychoactive substance use inhibitions associated with high-risk sexual behaviours included an increased likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse, difficulties in refusing to engage in sexual intercourse, and forgetting to use condoms while intoxicated. Interventions targeting a reduction in high-risk sexual behaviour should integrate the impact of psychoactive substance use on sexual behaviour.

Personality's Correlates of Adult Development and Aging

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Vittorio Caprara ◽  
Mariagiovanna Caprara ◽  
Patrizia Steca
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Efficacy Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Development And Aging ◽  
And Gender

Three cross-sectional studies examined stability and change in personality over the course of life by measuring the relations linking age to personality traits, self-efficacy beliefs, values, and well-being in large samples of Italian male and female participants. In each study, relations between personality and age were examined across several age groups ranging from young adulthood to old age. In each study, personality constructs were first examined in terms of mean group differences accrued by age and gender and then in terms of their correlations with age across gender and age groups. Furthermore, personality-age correlations were also calculated, controlling for the demographic effects accrued by marital status, education, and health. Findings strongly indicated that personality functioning does not necessarily decline in the later years of life, and that decline is more pronounced in males than it is in females across several personality dimensions ranging from personality traits, such as emotional stability, to self-efficacy beliefs, such as efficacy in dealing with negative affect. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for personality theory and social policy.

Cross-sectional assessment of mental health and service disparities in a high-risk community.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-373
Author(s):  
Brendan H. Pulsifer ◽  
Casey L. Evans ◽  
Leila Capel ◽  
Mary Lyons-Hunter ◽  
Julie A. Grieco
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional

A cross sectional study on assessment of risk of diabetes mellitus using Indian diabetic risk score in a medical college teaching hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Singam Sivasankar Reddy ◽  
Syeda Rahath ◽  
Rakshitha H N ◽  
Godson K Lal ◽  
Swathy S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
College Teaching ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Counselling ◽  
Related Quality

The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of diabetes mellitus in elderlywith age above 20 years in a hospital setting using Indian Diabetes risk score and to provide patient counselling regarding their life style modifications and health related quality of life among participants with high risk of developing diabetes.A total of 125 non diabetic patients were interviewed with a pre designed selfstructured questionnaire (IDRS). Participants were chosen voluntarily and a written consent was obtained before the administration of the questionnaire from individual patients. In our study we observed that out of 125 patients,males 26[59%]and 18[41%] females were at high risk, males 39[58.2%] and 28[41.8%] females were at moderate risk, males 5[35.7%] and 9[64.3%] females were at low risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

EARLY RECOGNIZATION OF THE CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER BY VANDERBILT ADHD RATING SCALE FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS

2019 ◽  
pp. 85-91
Author(s):  
Dinh Duong Le ◽  
Van Thang Vo ◽  
Thi Mai Nguyen ◽  
Thi Han Vo ◽  
Huu Chau Duc Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
Key Words Adhd

Objectives: The study aims to explore the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and to examine the associated factors with ADHD among primary students by Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale for teacher and parents. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in 564 students who selected randomly in 4 primary schools in Hue city. Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale for parents and teachers were applied to evaluate the ADHD of children over 6 months ago. Results: The overall prevalence of children who had high risk with ADHD was 4.1% (95%CI: 2.44 - 5.72), including 4.6% and 4.8% in the rating of teachers and parents, respectively. Male was more likely to have ADHD than female (OR adj: 4.64 (95%CI: 1.53 - 14.05) and lack of closely friend (OR adj: 5.11 (95% CI: 2.13 - 12.24). Conclusion: Vanderbilt ADHD diagnosis rating scale for teachers and parents can be used to early recognization children with a high risk of ADHD. Key words: ADHD, Vanderbilt, ratings scale, teacher, parent, children

CONCENTRATION OF THE SERUM TGF-BETA1 IN HEALTHY ADULT PEOPLE

2014 ◽  
pp. 90-93
Author(s):  
Van Tuan Nguyen ◽  
Tam Vo ◽  
Bui Bao Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Gender

Elevated serum Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels have been linked to tissue fibrosis including chronic kidney disease. Objectives: (1) Investigate serum TGF-beta1 levels in healthy adult people and (2) Examined the relation between serum TGF-beta1 level and gender, age, body mass index (BMI). Method: A cross-sectional study. TGF-beta1 were quantified by ELISA. Results: Levels of serum TGF-beta1 in healthy people were 13,45 ± 7,17 ng/mL mL (0,59 - 33,10 ng/mL). There are no difference of serum TGF-beta1 levels between men and women, between the age groups (<40 years, 40 to < 60 years and ≥ 60 years), between BMI groups < 23 and BMI group ≥ 23. Key words: TGF-beta1, healthy people

scholarly journals Determining the perception of a lung cancer screening programme among high-risk patients in a tertiary referral centre, Kuala Lumpur

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Wei Hao Kok ◽  
Andrea Ban Yu-Lin ◽  
Shamsul Azhar Shah ◽  
Faisal Abdul Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Lung Cancer Screening ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Tertiary Referral Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cancer Screening Programme

Background: Lung cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death and the third most common cancer in Malaysia. The rising prevalence of lung cancer suggests the need to consider disease screening for early detection, especially in the high-risk population, as it offers the best chance of cure. Objectives: The study aims to determine the willingness of high-risk respondents to participate in a lung cancer screening programme if made available to them, and to determine their attitude towards lung cancer screening and explore factors that might affect participation in a screening programme. Method: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study over 6 months conducted in adult patients attending medical clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) using face-to-face administered questionnaires. Results: In total 180 respondents were analysed. There were 177 (98.3%) males. Mean age was 59.8 ± 9.1 years. Of the respondents, 138 (76.7%) had poor knowledge about cancer screening. Former smokers comprised 119 (66.1%) of the participants, and 61 (33.9%) were current smokers. In total, 141 (78.3%) respondents indicated willingness to participate in a lung cancer screening programme. Out of this group, 68 (48.2%) respondents were unwilling to pay for the procedure. Only 18 (12.8%) were unwilling to undergo lung cancer treatment if detected early. Conclusions: Awareness about general cancer screening is low. Our study showed that when informed of their high-risk status, respondents were willing to participate in lung cancer screening. There should be more health programmes to promote and raise awareness about lung cancer.

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