Factors that influence decision-making among youth who vape and youth who don't vape.

Vaping rates among Canadian youth are significantly higher compared to adults. While it is acknowledged that various personal and socio-environmental factors influence the risk of school-aged youth for vaping uptake, we don't know which known behavior change factors are most influential, for whom, and how. The Unified Theory of Behavior (UTB) brings together theoretically-based behavior change factors that influence health risk decision making. We aimed to use this framework to study the factors that influence decision making around vaping among school-aged youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 youth aged 12 to 18 who were either vaped or didn't vape. We employed a collaborative and directed content analysis approach and the UTB constructs served as the coding framework for analysis. Gender differences were explored in the analysis. We found that multiple intersecting factors play a significant role in youth decision making to vape. Youth who vaped and those who did not vape reported similar mediating determinants that either reinforced or challenged their decision-making, such as easy access to vaping, constant exposure to vaping, and the temptation of flavors. Youth who didn't vape reported individual determinants that strengthened their intentions to not vape, including more negative behavioral beliefs (e.g., vaping is harmful) and normative beliefs (e.g., family disapproves), and strong self-efficacy (e.g. self-confidence). Youth who did vape, however, reported individual determinants that supported their intentions to vape, such as social identity, coolness, and peer endorsement. The findings revealed cohesion across multiple determinants, suggesting that consideration of multiple determinents when developing prevention messages would be beneficial for reaching youth.

e-Cigarette Cessation: Content Analysis of a Quit Vaping Community on Reddit.

BACKGROUND: e-Cigarette use, also known as vaping, has increased dramatically over the past few years, especially among younger demographics. However, researchers have found that a large number of e-cigarette users want to quit. Little is known about the unique aspects of vaping cessation, which is critical to informing the development of relevant resources and interventions for e-cigarette users who want to quit. Social media forums such as Reddit provide opportunities to understand the experiences of behavior change such as quitting vaping from the perspective of end users. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine a quit vaping subreddit to understand how e-cigarette users are experiencing and approaching vaping cessation. Specifically, we examine methods used to approach quitting, reasons for quitting, and barriers and facilitators to quitting. METHODS: A total of 1228 posts were collected. The posts were inductively coded to generate categories and subcategories using conventional content analysis. Data were analyzed using the NVivo 12 qualitative data analysis software. RESULTS: Most users reported a preference for approaching quitting through gradual reduction, particularly through the use of their own devices by tapering the nicotine content. Their reasons for quitting were primarily related to experiencing negative physical consequences associated with vaping, especially in relation to their lungs (eg, tight chest), and tired of feeling stuck to the vape because of nicotine addiction. Top barriers to quitting were related to withdrawal symptoms and intensity of addiction. The top facilitators to quitting were related to using distraction techniques (eg, hobby, gaming, and mindfulness exercises), as well as having a positive mindset. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study reveal unique aspects that encompass the process of quitting vaping. These findings have significant implications for both policy and intervention development.

Improving slow-transit constipation with transcutaneous electrical stimulation in women: A randomized, comparative study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) in women with slow-transit constipation. Twenty-eight women with slow-transit constipation were randomly assigned to a treatment group (14 women) or a control group (14 women). Data collection was conducted from March 7, 2014 to May 2, 2014. TES and sham TES were performed for 20 minutes, three times per week, for 4 weeks for the treatment and control groups, respectively. The results of the tests before and after treatment, including the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), abdominal pain, and number of defecations per week, were assessed. A significant decrease in CAS score and in abdominal pain (p < .05), and a significant increase in evacuation frequency per week (p < .05) were observed in the treatment group. In addition, a significant decrease in CAS score and in abdominal pain (p < .05) was observed in the control group. However, no noticeable change was observed in evacuation frequency per week in the control group. Based on these results, TES may have a beneficial effect in women with slow-transit constipation, and could be used to reduce the symptoms of constipation.

Muraymycins, novel peptidoglycan biosynthesis inhibitors: synthesis and SAR of their analogues.

A series of Muraymycin analogues was synthesized. These analogues showed excellent antimicrobial activity against gram-positive organisms. These analogues also showed excellent inhibitory activity against the target peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzyme MraY, the cell membrane associated transglycosylase responsible for the formation of Lipid II.