Examining Sex Differences in Conditioned Place Preference or Aversion to Methamphetamine in Adolescent and Adult Mice

Adolescence marks a particularly vulnerable period to developing substance use disorders. Human and rodent studies suggest that hypersensitivity to reward may contribute towards such vulnerability when adolescents are exposed to casual drug use. Methamphetamine is a popular illicit substance used by male and female youths. However, age- and sex-specific research in methamphetamine is scarce. The present study therefore aimed to examine potential sex differences in methamphetamine-conditioned place preference in adolescent and adult mice. Mice (n = 16–24/group) were conditioned to methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg). We observed that regardless of age, females were more hyperactive compared to males. Individually normalized score against baseline preference indicated that on average, adolescents formed stronger preference compared to adults in both sexes. This suggests that adolescents are more sensitive to the rewarding effects of methamphetamine compared to adults. Surprisingly, individual data showed that some mice formed a conditioned place aversion instead of preference, with females less likely to form an aversion compared to males. These results suggest that adolescents may be hypersensitive to methamphetamine’s rewarding effects. In addition, female resistance to the aversive effects of methamphetamine may relate to the sex-specific findings in humans, including quicker transition to regular methamphetamine use observed in females compared to males.

The Predictive Value of Degree of Preference for Extended-Release Naltrexone for Treatment Adherence, Opioid Use, and Relapse

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is effective for illicit opioid abstinence as an opioid maintenance treatment. To improve treatment outcomes, patient’s preference for the modality of treatment is an important factor. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We aimed to test the relationship between baseline preference for XR-NTX and adherence to treatment, use of illicit opioids, and risk of relapse. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In an open-label, Norwegian clinical trial participants with opioid use disorder were randomized to either monthly injections with XR-NTX or daily sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone (BP-NLX) for 12 weeks. Subsequently, participants could continue with their preferred medication in a 36-week follow-up and in a prolonged period of 104 weeks. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 153 participants who completed detoxification, 72% were men, with a mean age of 36 years. Preference levels were similar across the randomized groups, with no significant associations between preference and adherence to treatment, opioid use, or relapse. The BP-NLX group had a significantly higher risk of first relapse to opioids than the XR-NTX group for all levels of preference (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and a significantly higher number of days of illicit opioid use. In the follow-up period, the adherence rate was twice as high among participants with the highest preference compared to participants with the lowest preference, both among those who switched to XR-NTX and those who continued (hazard ratio 2.2; 1.2–4.0, <i>p</i> = 0.013). Opioid use was significantly higher among participants who switched to XR-NTX with the lowest preference than the medium (<i>p</i> = 0.003) or the highest (<i>p</i> = 0.001) preference. The risk of relapse to opioids, however, was significantly higher among XR-NTX continuing participants with the lowest (<i>p</i> = 0.002) or the medium (<i>p</i> = 0.043) preference than those with the highest preference. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Individuals who matched with their preferred treatment used less illicit opioids than those who did not during short-term treatment. However, baseline preference for XR-NTX treatment primarily influenced longer term opioid use and treatment adherence.

The effect of familiarity on infants’ social categorization capacity

Recent studies indicate that a preference for people from one’s own race emerges early in development. Arguably, one potential process contributing to such a bias has to do with the increased discriminability of own- vs. other-race faces–a process commonly attributed to perceptual narrowing of unfamiliar groups’ faces, and analogous to the conceptual homogenization of out-groups. The present studies addressed two implications of perceptual narrowing of other-race faces for infants’ social categorization capacity. In Experiment 1, White 11-month-olds’ (N = 81) looking time at a Black vs. White face was measured under three between-subjects conditions: a baseline “preference” (i.e., without familiarization), after familiarization to Black faces, or after familiarization to White faces. Compared to infants’ a priori looking preferences as revealed in the baseline condition, only when familiarized to Black faces did infants look longer at the "not-familiarized-category" face at test. According to the standard categorization paradigm used, such longer looking time at the novel (i.e., "not-familiarized-category") exemplar at test, indicated that categorization of the familiarized faces had ensued. This is consistent with the idea that prior to their first birthday, infants already tend to represent own-race faces as individuals and other-race faces as a category. If this is the case, then infants might also be less likely to form subordinate categories within other-race than own-race categories. In Experiment 2, infants (N = 34) distinguished between an arbitrary (shirt-color) based sub-categories only when shirt-wearers were White, but not when they were Black. These findings confirm that perceptual narrowing of other-race faces blurs distinctions among members of unfamiliar categories. Consequently, infants: a) readily categorize other-race faces as being of the same kind, and b) find it hard to distinguish between their sub-categories.

Representativeness of personality and involvement preferences in a web-based survey on healthcare decision-making

Background Obtaining a sample that is representative of the group of interest is of utmost importance in questionnaire studies. In a survey using a state authorized web-portal for citizen communication with authorities, we wanted to investigate the view of adult men on patient involvement in health care decision-making regarding Prostate-Specific Antigen test for prostatic cancer. In this paper, we report on sample characteristics and representativeness of our sample in terms of personality and baseline involvement preferences. Methods We compared personality profiles (BFI-10) and baseline healthcare decision-making preferences (CPS) in our sample (n = 6756) to internationally available datasets. Pooled data from a) US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (n = 1512), b) Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium (n = 1136), and c) Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark (n = 1313) were used for BFI-10 comparisons. Regarding CPS, we compared our sample with three previous datasets relating to decision-making in cancer (n = 425, 387, and 199). Results Although statistically significant differences particularly appeared in large dataset comparisons, sample BFI-10 and CPS profiles mostly were within the range of those previously reported. Similarity was greatest in BFI-10 comparisons with group a) where no statistically significant difference could be established in factors ‘agreeableness’ and ‘neuroticism’ (p = .095 and .578, respectively). Conclusion Despite some variation, our sample displays personality and baseline preference profiles that are generally similar to those described in previous international studies. For example, this was the case with the BFI-10 ‘agreeableness’ measure (incl. trust and fault-finding items), an important factor in healthcare decision-making.

Representativeness of personality and involvement preferences in a web-based survey on healthcare decision-making

Background: Obtaining a sample that is representative of the group of interest is of utmost importance in questionnaire studies. In a survey using a state authorized web-portal for citizen communication with authorities, we wanted to investigate the view of adult men on patient involvement in health care decision-making regarding Prostate-Specific Antigen test for prostatic cancer. In this paper, we report on sample characteristics and representativeness of our sample in terms of personality and baseline involvement preferences.Methods: We compared personality profiles (BFI-10) and baseline healthcare decision-making preferences (CPS) in our sample (n=6,756) to internationally available datasets. Pooled data from a) US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (n=1,512), b) Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium (n=1,136), and c) Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark (n=1,313) were used for BFI-10 comparisons. Regarding CPS, we compared our sample with three previous datasets relating to decision-making in cancer (n=425, 387, and 199).Results: Although statistically significant differences particularly appeared in large dataset comparisons, sample BFI-10 and CPS profiles mostly were within the range of those previously reported. Similarity was greatest in BFI-10 comparisons with group a) where no statistically significant difference could be established in factors ‘agreeableness’ and ‘neuroticism’ (p=.095 and .578, respectively). Conclusion: Despite some variation, our sample displays personality and baseline preference profiles that are generally similar to those described in previous international studies. For example, this was the case with the BFI-10 ‘agreeableness’ measure (incl. trust and fault-finding items), an important factor in healthcare decision-making.

Representativeness of personality and involvement preferences in a web-based survey on healthcare decision-making

Background: Obtaining a sample that is representative of the group of interest is of utmost importance in questionnaire studies. In a survey using a state authorized web-portal for citizen communication with authorities, we wanted to investigate the view of adult men on patient involvement in health care decision-making regarding Prostate-Specific Antigen test for prostatic cancer. In this paper, we report on sample characteristics and representativeness of our sample in terms of personality and baseline involvement preferences.Methods: We compared personality profiles (BFI-10) and baseline healthcare decision-making preferences (CPS) in our sample (n=6,756) to internationally available datasets. Pooled data from a) US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (n=1,512), b) Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium (n=1,136), and c) Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark (n=1,313) were used for BFI-10 comparisons. Regarding CPS, we compared our sample with three previous datasets relating to decision-making in cancer (n=425, 387, and 199).Results: Although statistically significant differences particularly appeared in large dataset comparisons, sample BFI-10 and CPS profiles mostly were within the range of those previously reported. Similarity was greatest in BFI-10 comparisons with group a) where no statistically significant difference could be established in factors ‘agreeableness’ and ‘neuroticism’ (p=.095 and .578, respectively). Conclusion: Despite some variation, our sample displays personality and baseline preference profiles that are generally similar to those described in previous international studies. For example, this was the case with the BFI-10 ‘agreeableness’ measure (incl. trust and fault-finding items), an important factor in healthcare decision-making.

Effects of Two Approaches to Rhythmic Dictation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two listening strategies on rhythmic dictation scores. In a within-subjects design, 54 undergraduate music majors completed two-measure rhythmic dictations under each of three conditions: (a) no prescribed approach, (b) required listening before writing, and (c) required writing while listening. The first condition gauged participants’ baseline preference for the approach of the second or third condition. Repeated-measures t tests revealed a significant difference in test scores between the second and third conditions but no significant difference as a function of participants’ preferred strategy. Results suggest that some amount of simultaneous sketching may be helpful to students as they take dictation of rhythms, a common task in aural skills development both in and of itself and as a first phase of melodic dictation. Aural skills instructors should consider the potential benefits of sketching as an anchoring activity during dictation and discuss strategies explicitly with students. Helping high school and college students see how and why various strategies for dictation may be appropriate for particular task parameters can help them integrate component skills of listening, comprehension, and notation most effectively.

Analysis of Travel-Time Use in Crowded Trains using Discrete-Continuous Choices of Commuters in Tokyo, Japan

Travel-based multitasking and the possibility to perform activities during travel are important factors that can make a transportation mode attractive. However, serious crowding in public transportation systems might adversely affect the passengers’ free choice to participate in activities during travel. This study aims to examine how crowding in public transportation systems is related to discrete-continuous choices in different types of multitasking options using a data set of 500 commuters in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Employing a multiple discrete-continuous extreme value model, this study investigates the relationship between crowding levels and multitasking behavior. The results show that high crowding levels, relative to being seated, have a significantly negative association with many multitasking options, which suggests the importance of seat availability. The estimation results also show that information and communication technology (ICT)-dependent leisure activities and non-ICT active activities, such as reading and talking with other passengers, have the lowest satiation and higher baseline preference constants, which indicates that they are preferred by passengers. Meanwhile, crowding levels were observed to have a significant relationship with these multitasking activities. Finally, the key findings, contributions, and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

A prospective cohort study of stability in preference for place of death among patients with stage IV cancer.

e24148 Background: Advanced care planning (ACP) involves discussion and documentation of patients’ care preferences including their preference for place of death. This process assumes that patients’ preference will not change over time; yet evidence for this is inconclusive. The primary aim of this study was to test whether patient preference for place of death changes over time and to identify factors associated with this change. We also assessed whether patients who do not change their preference for place of death during the study duration have greater congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Methods: As part of an ongoing cohort study, we surveyed 466 advanced cancer patients every 6 months in Singapore for a period of two years. We asked patients their preference for place of death (home/ institution/ unclear). We assessed proportion of patients who changed their preference from baseline and at every time point. We ran univariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to assess the association between change in preference for place of death and patient socio-demographics (gender, race, education, housing, marital status) as well as time varying variables (quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- General), pain severity (Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), any intervening hospitalization). We used a logistic regression model to assess if no change in preference during the study period was associated with congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Results: More than a quarter of patients changed their preference for place of death every 6 months with 55% changing their preference at least once within 2 years. There was no clear trend in direction of change in preference. Patients who were psychologically distressed at the time of survey had a greater relative risk of changing their preferred place of death to home (Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) 1.81; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16-2.82) and to institution (RRR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.17-3.42) relative to no change in preference. Having no change in preference for place of death during the study period was not associated with congruence between actual and baseline preference for place of death. Conclusions: The study provides evidence of instability in advanced cancer patients’ preference for place of death. It calls into question the validity of patient preference for place of death recorded on ACP documents and suggests that we should regularly re-evaluate these documents.

Representativeness of Personality and Involvement Preferences in a Web-Based Survey on Healthcare Decision-Making

Background: Obtaining a sample that is representative of the group of interest is of utmost importance in questionnaire studies. In a survey using a state authorized web-portal for citizen communication with authorities, we wanted to investigate the view of adult men on patient involvement in health care decision-making regarding Prostate-Specific Antigen test for prostatic cancer. In this paper, we report on sample characteristics and representativeness of our sample in terms of personality and baseline involvement preferences.Methods: We compared personality profiles (BFI-10) and baseline healthcare decision-making preferences (CPS) in our sample (n = 6,756) to internationally available datasets. Pooled data from a) US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (n = 1,512), b) Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium (n = 1,136), and c) Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark (n = 1,313) were used for BFI-10 comparisons. Regarding CPS, we compared our sample with three previous datasets relating to decision-making in cancer (n = 425, 387, and 199).Results: Although statistically significant differences particularly appeared in large dataset comparisons, sample BFI-10 and CPS profiles mostly were within the range of those previously reported. Similarity was greatest in BFI-10 comparisons with group a) where no statistically significant difference could be established in factors ‘agreeableness’ and ‘neuroticism’ (p = .095 and .578, respectively).Conclusion: Despite some variation, our sample displays personality and baseline preference profiles that are generally similar to those described in previous international studies. For example, this was the case with the BFI-10 ‘agreeableness’ measure (incl. trust and fault-finding items), an important factor in healthcare decision-making.