ABSTRACT
Many valorization approaches for lignin rely on its organic solvent (organosolv) extraction. However, the severity of the extraction conditions required to obtain high lignin extraction generally results in low-quality lignin for downstream processing. To better understand the secondary reaction pathways and kinetics related to molecular alterations that result from organosolv extraction under extreme conditions, extractions were conducted at temperatures of 150, 180, and 210 °C. Lignin was collected at residence times between 0.25 and 18â h and analyzed by NMR techniques to quantify the concentrations of key chemical moieties that appear or disappear upon reactions of lignin molecules during and after their fractionation from biomass. The kinetics of chemical moiety evolution was modeled as processes in-series. In these models, pseudo first-order kinetics were used to describe the change in concentration of chemical moieties on extracted lignin as a function of residence time.
ABSTRACT
This is a double-blind placebo-controlled study of sustained-release bupropion as a smoking cessation aid in alcoholics undergoing treatment for their alcoholism. Participants (N=58) were enrolled within 1 week of entry into alcohol treatment from community and Veterans Affairs Substance Use Disorder programs. All participants received nicotine patch and were invited to attend a smoking cessation lecture and group. Cigarette smoking and alcohol outcomes were measured at 6 months. Bupropion when added to nicotine patch did not improve smoking outcomes. One third of participants on bupropion reported discontinuing the drug during weeks 1-4. Participants reported cigarette outcomes with nicotine patch that are similar to those seen in the general population. All study participants significantly reduced cigarette use. Comorbid affective disorder or antipersonality disorder did not affect outcomes. Alcohol outcomes were improved in those who discontinued cigarettes.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/complications , Bupropion/therapeutic use , Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Nicotine/therapeutic use , Nicotinic Agonists/therapeutic use , Smoking Cessation/methods , Smoking Prevention , Tobacco Use Disorder/drug therapy , Administration, Cutaneous , Adult , Alcoholism/therapy , Bupropion/adverse effects , Community Health Services , Delayed-Action Preparations , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nebraska , Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors/adverse effects , Nicotine/administration & dosage , Nicotine/adverse effects , Nicotinic Agonists/administration & dosage , Nicotinic Agonists/adverse effects , Patient Compliance , Research Design , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers , Time Factors , Tobacco Use Disorder/complications , Treatment Outcome , VeteransABSTRACT
Methamphetamine use has been characterized as a "rural" drug; however, little is known about rural methamphetamine use disorders (MUD). This study describes and compares characteristics of rural and urban patients with MUD. Rural study participants reported earlier first regular use of methamphetamine, more alcoholism, more intravenous use, and a greater number of cigarettes/day, and were more likely to report methamphetamine-related psychotic symptoms. Rural methamphetamine users report multiple factors that may contribute to medical and psychiatric complications and worsen their prognosis. This is of significant concern given the limited substance abuse, mental health, and specialty care available in most rural Midwestern communities.