ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the role of personality traits in at-risk drinking and current cannabis use among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 707 medical students from two universities. Multiple logistic regression models for at-risk drinking and current cannabis use were constructed including sociodemographic, psychiatric, and personality variables. Results: At-risk drinking and current cannabis use were reported by 19.3% and 14.9% of participants, respectively. Models including Big Five measures showed associations of at-risk drinking with higher extraversion (p < 0.00001, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9) and lower conscientiousness (p = 0.00001, AOR = 0.5); cannabis use was also associated with lower conscientiousness (p = 0.003, AOR = 0.6), besides higher openness to experience (p = 0.002, AOR = 1.9). Models including measures of the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems scales (BIS/BAS) showed associations of at-risk drinking with lower BIS (p = 0.002, AOR = 0.9) and higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.0005, AOR = 1.2); cannabis use was also associated with higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.008, AOR = 1.2). Personality variables had modest effects on model fit. Conclusion: Specific personality traits were independently associated with at-risk drinking and current cannabis use, albeit with modest effect sizes.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Young Adult , Students, Medical/statistics & numerical data , Marijuana Smoking/epidemiology , Personality , Socioeconomic Factors , Students, Medical/psychology , Brazil/epidemiology , Marijuana Smoking/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of personality traits in at-risk drinking and current cannabis use among medical students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 707 medical students from two universities. Multiple logistic regression models for at-risk drinking and current cannabis use were constructed including sociodemographic, psychiatric, and personality variables. RESULTS: At-risk drinking and current cannabis use were reported by 19.3% and 14.9% of participants, respectively. Models including Big Five measures showed associations of at-risk drinking with higher extraversion (p < 0.00001, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9) and lower conscientiousness (p = 0.00001, AOR = 0.5); cannabis use was also associated with lower conscientiousness (p = 0.003, AOR = 0.6), besides higher openness to experience (p = 0.002, AOR = 1.9). Models including measures of the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems scales (BIS/BAS) showed associations of at-risk drinking with lower BIS (p = 0.002, AOR = 0.9) and higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.0005, AOR = 1.2); cannabis use was also associated with higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.008, AOR = 1.2). Personality variables had modest effects on model fit. CONCLUSION: Specific personality traits were independently associated with at-risk drinking and current cannabis use, albeit with modest effect sizes.
Subject(s)
Marijuana Smoking/epidemiology , Students, Medical/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Brazil/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Marijuana Smoking/psychology , Personality , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Students, Medical/psychology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Microalgae are aquatic chlorophyll-containing organisms comprising unicellular microscopic forms, and their biomasses are potential sources of bioactive compounds, biofuels and food-based products. However, the neuroprotective effects of microalgal biomass have not been fully explored. In this study, biomass from two Chlorella species was characterized, and their antioxidant, anticholinesterase and anti-amyloidogenic activities were investigated. RESULTS: GCMS analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of some phenols, sterols, steroids, fatty acids and terpenes. Ethanol extract of Chlorella sorokiniana (14.21 mg GAE/g) and dichloromethane extract of Chlorella minutissima (20.65 mg QE/g) had the highest total phenol and flavonoid contents, respectively. All the extracts scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and hydroxyl radicals. The highest metal chelating activity of the extracts was observed in the ethanol extracts of C. minutissima (102.60 µg/mL) and C. sorokiniana (107.84 µg/mL). Furthermore, the cholinesterase inhibitory activities of the extracts showed that ethanol extract of C. sorokiniana (13.34 µg/mL) exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while dichloromethane extract of C. minutissima (11.78 µg/mL) showed the highest butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Incubation of the ß-amyloid protein increased the aggregation of amyloid fibrils after 96 h. However, ethanol extract of C. sorokiniana and C. minutissima inhibited further aggregation of Aß142 and caused disaggregation of matured protein fibrils compared to the control. This study reveals the modulatory effects of C. sorokiniana and C. minutissima extracts on some mediators of Alzheimer's disease and provides insights into their potential benefits as functional food, nutraceutics or therapeutic agent for the management of this neurodegenerative disease.